Fourth of July Issue

Reimagined Hopatcong
Marketplace Makes its Debut
Story by MELISSA SUMMERS
Photo courtesy of Hopatcong Marketplace
If you are looking for what’s new, fresh and
unique in Hopatcong this summer, a new
weekly event hopes to satisfy all your cravings.
What many locals remember as Hopatcong
Farmer’s Market has transformed into the
Hopatcong Marketplace. The weekly gathering
of local retail, food and craft vendors opened
for a summer and early fall run on June 27.
Hopatcong Borough officials gave the go-ahead
to open the market in mid-June. In the past, the
borough has hosted both a flea market and a
farmers’ market, but this year, organizers hoped
to draw a larger crowd with a different spin and
a wider variety of offerings.
“Turnout at the events wasn’t what we’d hoped,
and we decided that this year we’d make some
changes,” said Hopatcong Borough Recreation
Coordinator Cathy Millian. The location has
been moved to the Hopatchung park and ride
lot, located on Hopatchung Road. The site
accommodates more vendors than the previous
location next to Borough Hall.
The new space has lots of breathing room,
with more parking and seating than the previous
location. While the layout is a work in progress,
Millian said it accommodates up to 40 spaces,
plus room for food and local entertainment.
According to the group’s Facebook page, social
distancing will be observed and masks are
suggested.
Jodie Penn, owner of Ellie Within Pillows &
Crafts, is part of a group of local vendors who
decided to work with the borough to improve
the market. The Vendors of the Hopatcong
Market Place consists of about a dozen local
craftspeople, farmers and retail representatives.
An online directory of vendors was put
together to get the word out about each
participant and to generate buzz about the
summer venture. “Because of the diverse group
of vendors, we came up with the tag line ‘Farm
to Art Fun,’” Penn said. “The Marketplace is
made up of all types of merchandise, from farms
to artists and everything in between.”
Jim Puccio of Queen of the Hill Farm in
Andover offers hand-raised farm produce and
local honey-based products. The farm and apiary
are known for handmade soaps and candles, but
also grows a variety of fruits and vegetables.
AlphaZelle features toxin-free products made
with holistic and United States Department of
Agriculture certified organic ingredients. Owner
Dale Schock offers health and wellness products
like essential oils, cleaners and baby and pet
products designed to serve a purpose while
protecting the environment.
Talullah’s Treasure spotlights unique jewelry
from Paparazzi Accessories. Each beautiful
piece is both fashionable and affordable. Joyce
Guarducci, the owner of Talullah’s Treasure, also
displays her original creations.
The collection of vendors also currently
includes Bergen Blvd Bling, Crocheted
with Love by Robin, Gifts From The Heart,
LandOfAshAndDragons LLC, and Nature’s
Golden Miracle CBD Products.
The Marketplace website is designed to draw
attention to its local vendors, with the hope that
potential customers shop and support local small
businesses. Each business is featured with photos
of their products, information about the local
Guests stroll from
vendor to vendor at last
year’s Farmer’s Market.
owners and links to their individual websites.
Organizers said the Marketplace incorporated
many other Farmer’s Market regulars that
customers will remember from previous events.
The directory is free to join and will be
considered a jumping-off point for future
events. “We felt we could get together and work
on promoting the event, with a resource that
will always be there for our community,” Penn
said. “We want to help each other thrive!”
Millian said the borough managed the
securing of proper permits and collecting of
payments but welcomed the idea of letting
the vendors themselves get involved with the
planning, through networking and social media.
“We were really looking for another venue to
showcase Hopatcong and all that our community
has to offer,” Millian said. “This is just another
way to help our local businesses do that.”
Potential sellers of all kinds are welcome,
including local growers of produce, plants and
other products. Area artists are expected to show
off their work, which will be for sale.
The “flea market” element is alive and well,
with the addition of “gently used” items and
antiques.
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LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Fourth of July 2020