October’s here, and with it comes one of Englewood’s best traditions: the return of the Englewood Farmers Market.
If you’ve never been, you’re missing out. The market isn’t just good; it’s the local favorite, hands down. Every Thursday, Pioneer Plaza on Dearborn Street transforms into a hive of small businesses, each one bringing its best. You’ll find just about everything: fresh bread, incredible cheeses, handmade pastas, soaps and candles, local honey, colorful produce, flowers and plants, Filipino and Asian specialties, kosher challah, citrus, juices, the list keeps going. Every booth tempts you with something new.
It all runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the heart of Englewood. Each week, live music plays along Dearborn; there’s always something a little different to discover.
Englewood REVIEW recently caught up with Don Musilli from the Englewood Sunset Rotary, the group that keeps the market running. According to Don, October always feels like a “soft opening.” Some vendors roll in right away, think pizza, bread, cheese, knife sharpening. Others don’t arrive until November or December because they’re busy up north or at other markets. It’s all part of the market’s rhythm. But Don expects October to buzz with energy. The past few years have seen more and more folks wandering Dearborn each Thursday, and that excitement isn’t fading.
Picture the scene: early sunlight, coffee in hand, music weaving through the air. Kids and dogs greet one another, neighbors catch up, and all kinds of people browse tables piled high with fresh food. There’s no better way to start your Thursday. Grab a pastry or a handmade treat, fill your bag with produce so fresh it was likely picked just hours ago, and don’t forget to wander hungry.
Local farmers haul in the very best from Florida’s fields. Fishermen bring wild-caught seafood straight from the coast. Bakers stack tables with crusty sourdough, gluten-free cookies, and everything in between. Some vendors roll out international dishes; others offer small-batch jams, local honey, or even potted citrus trees. The whole plaza feels like a festival of what Englewood does best: food, community, music, and sunshine.
And this isn’t just a quick grocery run. People come for the experience and stick around for the community. It’s a chance to meet the people behind your food and support the folks who make Englewood such a great place to live.
The Englewood Sunset Rotary keeps things running, and every dime from vendor fees gets funneled back into the neighborhood. When you support the market, you’re investing in Englewood itself.
Don summed it up: “I was there at the beginning; me, Marie Laforge, Ricardo Ruggiero from Mango Bistro, and Lee Perron. We kicked things off in 2011, and we picked Thursday—it’s an off day, but it let us land the best vendors. Over the years, other markets have popped up, and sure, they’ve brought some competition. But we’re different. We’re a nonprofit, and every dollar we make goes straight to our community. That’s why we tell people, start with our market first. Support Englewood. That’s our mantra.”
So how did it all actually begin? Back in 2010, Marie Laforge started asking why Englewood didn’t have its own market. By 2011, with help from Ricardo Ruggiero and Mike Hutchinson, and encouragement from the Mango Bistro’s success, she pulled together a team. Lee Perron joined that summer, and before long, over a few lively dinners, they built a plan. Lee took over as manager, Mike handled the books, Marie managed marketing, and Ricardo tackled tech. Their idea quickly became a reality, and the Englewood Farmers Market was born.
Jump ahead to fall 2021: The Englewood Sunset Rotary began managing the market, adding a focus on nutrition, education, sustainability, and a deep sense of community. You still find local organic produce, top-tier baked goods, dairy, seafood, honey, herbs, prepared foods, sauces, and genuinely interesting finds every week.
Their mission is clear: to champion local Florida growers and producers, with a focus on health, education, sustainable practices, and genuine community.
The market partners with local organizations that make a difference: Englewood Community Care Clinic, Englewood Elementary, Florida Organic Growers Association, Helping Hand Food Bank, St. David’s Food Pantry, and more. The Englewood Community Redevelopment Agency pitches in too.
The Englewood Farmers Market runs October through May, then takes a summer break. Pioneer Plaza on Dearborn Street is the place to be on Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you’re ready for great food, sunny mornings, real community, and a market that truly gives back, you’ll want to make this a regular stop. Come see why it’s the best farmers market in Florida.
Click here for more information about the Englewood Farmers Market.
