Sorauren/ Henderson farmers' market

Dec.9, 2024, 4 pm

The Sorauren farmers' market moves to the Henderson Brewery in the winter. There's a big parking lot, but also apartments above, and so there's a barrier to the part of the lot closest to the market, and close to the disabled parking spaces. That part is only for residents. But it happens that the market manager comes out of the front door just as I'm pulling up, and she goes back inside to get the code. So the gate lifts and I can park (four designated spots, only one in use).

market manager opens barrier

steps to go inside nearest door

ramp around the corner

But it turns out that the nearby door has low steps and it would be very hard to lift my walker over them. To get to the accessible walkway you have to go around the corner and then double back up the slant. No door opener button but no problem -- lots fo people going in and out (to the bar and to the market), and everybody holds the door for one another.

wide aisles, cheerful vendors

Seth at Forbes Wild Foods

Pierogi Me: perogies hot or frozen

snacks at picnic tables, musicians in the corner

Inside, the atmosphere is cheerful and interesting -- with the huge steel vats of Henderson beer as the backdrop). You get in by going through the bar, and both there and in the main market space there's enough room for wheelchairs and walkers to get through. There's an information table at the front, with immediate offers of help, and it carries on like that -- every farmer is eager to make it work -- almost a bit too eager. (I feel like protesting, "I'm not that old, not completely disabled!" But who really wants to complain about people being too helpful.....)

However, there are no chairs or benches to take a rest between farmers' tables. When I explain that bad knees are different than a spinal cord injury requiring a wheelchair, but can still be a block to full access, people say they get it. Seth, the Forbes Wild Foods seller, had a family member with Parkinson's. "He could walk, but he had other mobility issues, for sure."

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