Sweet William's Country Market Approved for Danvers

Danvers resident Susan Prentiss will be opening an outdoor market this spring on Pine Street, after receiving approval from the at their Monday Jan. 9 meeting.

Prentiss hopes for her new "Sweet William Country Market" to open sometime during May. The market will be open on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a variety of local produce and bakery items.

Prentiss once operated the full time, but now she has chosen to only continue maintaining the landscaping portion of the business, along with certain specialty items. 

"With seven grandchildren now and other family obligations, it was difficult to maintain the seven day a week work schedule," she said. "The market will offer me the opportunity to re-connect with my Garden Center customers and to offer them some of the beautiful landscaping items I previously sold, such as a variety of perennials, hanging baskets, potted arrangements, mulch and loam, etc. but on a smaller scale."

When Prentiss originally went before the ZBA on Dec. 12, proposing to open a private farmers' market, with creating a state-certified farmers' market.

"The Prentisses need to be aware there is more to it than simply calling it a farmers' market," Peter Gibney said at the Dec. 12 meeting.

On Monday Jan. 9 the ZBA suggested calling the business an "outdoor market" and told Prentiss she would have to comply appropriate agricultural regulations.

Prentiss, as well as the ZBA, made sure to emphasize that the market will not be a flea market. "Everything sold will be new and freshly grown or prepared," Prentiss said. "We are currently soliciting proposals, and hope to be able to offer the community a great and fun place to spend some time on Saturdays."
 
The market will be open spring through fall, with products reflecting the seasons. "In the autumn I would like to do pumpkins, mums, and fall arangements," she said.

Alongside Prentiss, her friend Melissa Gale and her daughter Andrea will be working at the market. Once it is running, Prentiss would also like to incorporate local artists, potters, and photographers.

So what's the meaning behind the name of Prentiss' market? 

"After my Dad," Prentiss said. "He was a Salem Police officer for many years, and that was his nickname. He would of been so proud of the garden center and now the country market."