Updated: Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café in an EVEN MORE Pickling Situation!

A temporary location for Acorn Farmers' Market & Café may have been found at the former Manchester Pharmacy building, starting May 5. Watch Acorn's social media for more information!

Editor note: This article was updated Tuesday, April 27 at 1pm with new information.

submitted by Ruth VanBogelen, Acorn Board of Directors

Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café – An Even More Pickling Situation!

Acorn knows how excited the community is to have a grocery store again, The Manchester Market, at 455 W. Main St.  Acorn is so pleased to be part of the new grocery store.  But timing has become a little problematic.  We thought the new store would be ready May 1, and we thought we had until May 15^th at the current location.  However, we learned last week that the new store would not be ready, and that we have to exit the current location on April 30^th.  We are calling this our Pickling Situation!

Two wonderful local businesses have very kindly offered us temporary space.  Thank You Joe and Krista Jarvis for offering to share the River Raisin Distillery with us.  Jeff & Crystal Fahey and Ron & Linda Milkey (owners of the Pharmacy building) also offered we can use the former Pharmacy building.

Unfortunately, in order to use a temporary new location Acorn would need a new operating license from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) which takes 30 days after they receive the 28 page application.  We are calling this our Even More Pickling Situation.

Acorn’s Board of Directors made the difficult decision to pause operations until the new store at 455 W Main St.   We are planning on a June 1 opening which is, of course, dependent on all finishing touches happening on time.

Acorn will be open Wednesday, April 28^th from 1-6 pm at the old location– 327 W. Main St.  Online orders will be accepted until 8 am on Wednesday.  We hope you’ll shop on Wednesday and stock up.

Stay tuned, we are working on hosting an outdoor Farmers Market starting in May on Thursdays and maybe even another day or two.  Watch for news on Facebook and Instagram – Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café for daily updates.  IF you don’t use social media, send us your email to orders@acornfarmersmarketcafe.org and we’ll add you to our email notices.  Our website is acornfarmersmarketcafe.org.  

Despite this Pickling Situation, we are in full preparation for the new store where we’ll be open 7 days a week.  We are hiring cashiers, for the cafe and for receiving – send resumes to kenny@acornfarmersmarketcafe.org.  We are also looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks – send an email to orders@acornfarmersmarketcafe.org if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.   

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.