Building community is an act of listening—of nurturing ideas, digging deep into the roots of people’s desires, and growing something together that feels truly shared.
In 2021, our organization, the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, did a resident survey that revealed several needs of our growing resident population. First, it showed an overwhelming need for a dog park in downtown. We put the plan into action and built the park. The capital campaign was powered by over 150 individual donors. Driving by on Friday nights, you’ll see a pack of dogs and even more humans, playing and conversing.
That same survey showed an overwhelming support for a farmers market. Soon after, the City of Arlington conducted its own study to explore the idea further. The responses were clear: there was a growing demand, and it needed to be in Downtown Arlington.
So now, every Saturday, right across from Rotary Dream Park, the Downtown Arlington Farmers Market springs to life.
At first glance, it’s what you’d expect: tables full of bright vegetables, homemade bread, local honey, farm-fresh eggs. But walk a little slower, and it reveals something deeper.
Ann’s Natural Grocery, a downtown staple, has a pop-up booth that drew me in with jars of sea moss. Corey, the owner, told me about gut biomes and nutrient absorption as nearby shoppers leaned in to listen.
Grainroot Co.’s sourdough breads have become a non-negotiable in our kitchen—jalapeño cheddar, triple chocolate espresso, even a cranberry walnut. The cherry on top is the fresh croissants taken to go during the market.
There’s Vato Blanco salsa, made by the former co-owner of Maren Karsen Salon (and yes, Maren Morris’s dad). He’s not just selling—he’s storytelling, laughing with neighbors like he’s hosting a backyard BBQ. You’ll find handcrafted pottery, wood-carved home goods, and of course, Arlington favorite Greens Plants and Produce, grounding the market in hometown charm.
Parking can be a bit of a challenge (as all good things require a bit of a walk), but there’s no shortage of ways to make the trip even more worth it: a playdate in the dog park, a slice from Mellow Mushroom, or a caffeine boost from Inclusion Coffee.
At every market, we’ve run into familiar faces—Carlos and his daughter in their stroller circuit, Mayor Ross getting his monthly groceries, and friends like Robyn Barrere and Stephen Zimmer, who put it perfectly one drizzly day: “We almost stayed in this morning,” they said. “But we told ourselves—if we want to see this farmers market succeed, we need to show up and support it.”
If you build it, they will come. Placer.ai, a foot traffic analysis software, tells us that in the first 2 months of the market, there have been nearly 10,000 visitors to the small City parking spot at the corner of Front and Center Streets in Downtown Arlington.
I’ve even heard that the City is already evaluating plans for a permanent open-air pavilion on this site. It’s early, but it shows that this market isn’t a temporary trend—it’s part of a larger vision for a downtown built around the desires of the community. When we listen with intention and dream big together, we achieve remarkable things.
And while I won’t pretend to be completely impartial—our organization did help introduce the market operator to the City—it’s been even more rewarding to watch neighbors rally around it. Saturday by Saturday, it feels like something is growing here, and it’s not just the vegetables.
Garret Martin is a graduate of UTA and is currently serving as the Vice President of Downtown Arlington.
