Market’s first venders look back to early days

Published 4:05 pm Saturday, January 14, 2012

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Marcella and Marion Hoban.

Marcella and Marion were vendors at the Austin Farmers Market when it started in 1975. Now 93, the twin sisters don’t get out much anymore, but they have fond memories of the market from years ago.

In 1975, the market started out on Main Street, near the courthouse. On Tuesday mornings, Marion would get there at 6:30 a.m. to cover the parking meters to clear space for the market.

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Her sister would arrive closer to 8 a.m. with their homegrown fruits and vegetables.

In later days, the market moved down by Mill Pond. This was a popular location for the market and the Hoban sisters said it was very busy.

“It was the ‘in’ thing to do, to shop at the Farmers Market. Everybody came,” Marion said.

They didn’t have set hours. The market opened at 8 a.m. and closed when they sold out. There were about 12 to 15 vendors and the items sold were fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs and flowers.

“People still love home grown food,” Marcella said. “They want it fresh from the farm.”

 •Read more about Todmorden: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2072383/Eccentric-town-Todmorden-growing-ALL-veg.html#ixzz1ihp0RYE8