The Destin Farmers’ Market will open at 8 a.m., April 6, at the Destin Water Building on Main Street. Tom Holt, retired from a marketing career at IBM, has employed his skills to secure the location and build a team of farmers’ market enthusiasts. Holt currently participates as a vendor in the Seaside Farmers’ Market with his wife and cottage company, Made by Amy. He states that Seaside attracts 2,000 to 3,000 people to the area for shopping and dining by offering a Saturday morning event during season.

Michelle Sandstead, owner of Flutterby Antiques, sees the market as an enhancement to the community and an advantage for the merchants in the area. She remarks, “The closet farmer’s markets are almost an hour away. We have plenty of parking and a plethora of local vendors to make this a treat for locals and visitors. Because the location is not owned by an established marketplace, there are no limitations on the types of vendors that can participate. We envision seeing everything from crafts, art, soaps and cottage foods to local grown/raised and organic food choices.

Lockwood Wernet, with the Destin Water Company, said they were willing to allow the Saturday event to be held on their grassy areas and the parking lot as part of a redevelopment initiative.