Providence Alternative Market

After seeing many advertisements for this at work I decided to check it out on Aug. 10 and what a disappointment this was. We got there around 11 AM and it looked like there was only one vendor and no food trucks. The lot was completely empty and we didn’t even bother to stop and went straight to the Hope St farmers market where there were plenty of vendors. Don’t waste your time here.

A new Saturday market in Providence! Right on North Main Street! It’s small and not very crowded (a plus for me). Also with lots of convenient parking… just park, grab your food and go.
My favorite meat vendor, P V Farm is there… and so is Blue Skys with medicinal herbs and cut flowers. I also bought a great sun hat made by a local artist. The best food trucks are there every week too. My favorite being Rocket. Who doesn’t like a slider from local humanely raised meat?
There was a composting workshop one week and then a kombucha making workshop another week. I love the community outreach!
I like this market because it’s convenient, has parking, great vendors and is on a historical spot in RI (The site of the once Rhode Island Auditorium).
If it grows a little bit, it’ll be a 5 star market for sure!

I have visited this market a few times now, and each time it seems to get smaller. It must be difficult to compete with the well established market up on Hope St, which has many advantages going for it. The hard, hot concrete is is a difficult trade off when there are trees and grass to be found on a sunny Saturday.
One thing this market does have going for it, is that the prices are much more reasonable. I have found in the past that shopping at the Hope St market is not affordable for a family on a limited income. I have been disappointed to find produce I have purchased there available at Whole Foods from the same farmers for much less.
I am hopeful that on this point the Alternative Market will succeed.
This week there was a children’s band there, playing to an audience of happy parents and toddlers. It was a charming touch, and a great draw, but it must have been difficult to sit on the hot pavement watching the band. It would be nice if there were a shade tent available for a rest area, as well as a place to eat if you purchase food from the food trucks which are there each week.
I am hopeful that this market will continue to gain fans each week, but worry that as the heat of summer sets in, people will choose the shady alternative.

8 vendors in a parking lot, 1 food truck. It was not the best idea to have this going on the same day as the hope street market. The vendors themselves are fine but it is too sparse to go out of my way for. Sufficient if you live in the area I guess but I probably wouldn’t go back, unless I was looking for one of the trucks

I visited the PAM today for the first time and I’m sad to say I was disappointed the moment I pulled up and saw a very empty looking lot of vendors.
The PAM has this huge lot to use but there were very few vendors (maybe 10?). It was a ghost town.
All of the advertising I’ve seen for it looks great! I love the idea of this market and utilizing this space for the community so I would love to see this market flourish.
I will revisit in hopes that today was just bad timing or that improvements are in the making!
On the upside the Mijos, Rocket, and Sprout food trucks were there!

While I definitely support the idea of an alternative market (or really any community organized market), the PAM just didn’t impress me. Maybe it was because it was the first go around, and it will get better in the future, who knows…
Anyway, a little backstory: I stopped by the market the first day it was on and was immediately surprised by how small and empty the space way. It’s in a parking lot across from the RISE clinic and the market occupies a little less than half of the lot, while the rest is for parking. On the PAM website it advertised a handful of food trucks, several farms, bakeries, artists, and musicians. The website and facebook page expressed that it would be well attended and worth attending. I found neither to be true. While there was live music, I would say there was only one of each of the previous categories (with the exception of food trucks — there were a grand total of 2). Clearly disappointing.
I plan to stop by again, because everything deserves a second chance, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

This is the first year of this market and it looks like it is off to a great start!
A group of great farmers with varied produce, meats, eggs, herbs, etc.
Three food trucks, with the occasional guest trucks… For a first year market there are a lot of vendors, 12+ !
There is music, workshops and neighborhood associations taking part.
It’s also centrally located and easy to get to.
It’s worth checking this one out.