Huffman Flea, Farmers Markets To Benefit Charities

Huffman's is reinventing its farmers market with a new location and mission starting Friday.

Tim Huffman is starting Huffman's Charity Park Flea, Farm & Garden Market on 63,000-square-feet of vacant land on North Tamiami Trail between and the Siesta Motel. The Huffman's had operated a Farm and Garden Market at the BP on Fruitville and Richardson roads.

The markets will run noon to 7 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and this weekend is the soft opening. The grand opening is planned for July 13-15. A $1 per adult admission will be collected. Children and seniors 65 and older will be free.

The charities for the grand opening that will benefit from the market will include the Community AIDS Network and the Sanctuary Community Church, which helps feed the homeless and finds homes for pregnant and/or unwed teenage mothers. Additional donations for those charities are welcome.

Ten percent of the market's proceeds and your purchase is donated to one of the two charities, according to Huffman.

Vendors are being sought for the location on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rates are $20 to $25 a day and monthly discounts are available. Assignments for vendor spaces begin at 11 a.m. today. Cash only for spaces today.

Vendors will eventually vote to decide whether to keep it a weekend market or a four-to-five day a week market, according to an announcement.

For more information, callDale Lilley at 941-961-8389 or Jason at 941-306-6825 or e-mail Tim Huffman at timdhuffman@aol.com.