Farmers market vendors stay afloat during COVID
October 13, 2020
Michael “Mick” Simmons peers out of his ice cream trailer window at three children on an overcast Tuesday afternoon at the Shoreview Farmers’ Market.
The youngest, a boy, shouts: “Ice cream! Ice cream!”
The 73-year-old owner of Grandpa’s Ice Cream has served homemade scoops at the market for five years. His company started 16 years ago when he and his wife traveled to Italy and were inspired by the gelato. Four storm-damaged tents and one trailer later, Grandpa’s Ice Cream has become part of the market’s character. However, this year’s market looks far different than years prior. Half the vendors. Half the kids. Half the profit.