Harriet Thoms, left, of Harrison and Mandy Shorey of Woodstock set up their tents Thursday afternoon at the Norway Farmers Market at Old Squire’s Green. 

NORWAY — The Norway Farmers Market and the Old Squire’s Farm Market have merged into one farmers market for the upcoming summer season, said Pat Martin, the market liaison for Old Squire’s Farm Market.

Martin said the two markets, which have operated separately for a few years, began talking in earnest last summer, though the idea of merging “may have been floating around years before that.”

Before merging, the Norway Farmers Market set up at the town square on the corner of Main and Deering streets, while the Old Squire’s Farm Market set up at 493 Main St., two-10ths of a mile up the road.

The newly merged market now operates under the name The Norway Farmers Market at Old Squire’s Green at 493 Main St.

Woodstock resident Mandy Shorey, who owns and operates Mighty Maine Greens and has participated in the Old Squire’s Farm Market since October, said that a merged market was “the best thing that could happen for us vendors.”

“It’s good for the customers, because it gives them a better selection of things to choose from,” Shorey said, “and for the vendors, it’s good because we can keep everyone in one location instead of trying to split vendors between two markets.”

Market hours for the merged market are 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Martin said the market is seeking new vendors to participate, with a focus on vendors who specialize in making maple syrup and honey.

The new marketplace is also seeking a greens vendor for Thursday, and a baker for Saturday, Martin said.

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net

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