Earlier in the month we celebrated National Farmer’s Market week with a Vendor Appreciation and Recruitment event at Highwind Brewery. During National Farmer’s Market week, we were reminded of the incredible value our Saturday Main Street Market brings to our community. Whether it’s Armed Forces Day, Sheriff’s Day, a Watermelon Feed, or our Mother’s and Father’s Day events, each Saturday at the Market is more than just a shopping trip—it’s an experience that connects our JC families with the heart of our community.
Our market is a vibrant hub where you can find everything from farm-fresh produce to handmade jewelry and homemade jams. In this month’s Blog Post, we’re excited to feature some of the amazing vendors who make our market special. These local farmers and makers are the backbone of our community, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Main Street Market. So come out, explore, and connect with the people who help make our town a little bit brighter each week!
Bubba’s Homestead
Meet Alyssa, the face of Bubba’s Homestead. Bubba’s Homestead is a dedicated vendor at our Saturday Main Street Market, who brings an array of farm-fresh goodness to our community each week. As a devoted family woman, Alyssa’s journey into farming and selling her own produce and homemade goods began with a desire to provide clean, wholesome food for her loved ones.
Alyssa offers a wide range of products at her market stall, including jams, jellies, farm-fresh eggs, whole chickens, lard (both swine and bovine), vanilla extract, pickles, and a unique Amish health remedy called fire cider. Everything she sells is either homegrown or homemade, ensuring that her customers enjoy the freshest, highest-quality foods available.
From Farm to Table: The Process
Alyssa’s process is rooted in careful planning and traditional methods. Each fall, she starts by planting garlic, which takes 9-10 months to fully mature. Early April is the time to start tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers indoors, preparing them for the coming growing season.
Her jams and jellies are made with in-season fruits, which are quickly broken down and canned using water bath canning methods. From farm to table, it takes Alyssa less than four hours to produce a batch of her delicious jellies, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
Her pickles are just as fresh, with cucumbers being picked and packed within two hours. Even her lard is a labor of love, beginning with butchering and ensuring nothing goes to waste. As Alyssa says, “Lard is a long game product,” reflecting her commitment to sustainable, full-use farming practices.
A Family-Driven Mission
Alyssa started selling her products to provide clean food for her family, believing that knowing the origins of food is key to eating healthily. “The best way to have clean food is to raise it ourselves,” she explains. Over time, she realized that many other families shared her desire for wholesome, clean food. What began as a personal mission has since grown into a flourishing business that serves the community.
Since officially starting her business in 2020 and making her first sale in 2022, Alyssa has found a welcoming home in Junction City. A transplant from Salina, she moved to Junction City in 2019 and has found happiness in this warm, inviting community. “JC has been the most welcoming and warm community. It feels like a safe community. It feels like home,” she shares.
We are so grateful to have Bubba’s Homestead as part of our Main Street Market family. Be sure to stop by her booth next time you’re at the market to try some of her delicious, wholesome products!
Hitch’n Stitch
Kathy Jo Hitchman, the talented artisan behind Hitch’n Stitch, is an absolute staple at our Main Street Market. Specializing in yarn and fabric items for homes and babies, Kathy Jo’s creations add a touch of warmth and style to any space. Her seasonal prints and colors provide an easy way to change up your decor, making her items perfect gifts for any occasion.
A Labor of Love
Kathy Jo’s passion for sewing and crochet shines through in every piece she makes. Her journey began with a simple need for practical fabric items in her own home. From there, her hobby grew into a labor of love, as she started creating gifts for family and eventually turned her passion into a craft business. “Most of my fabric items are quite utilitarian in nature, but utilitarian doesn’t have to mean drab,” says Kathy Jo.
Colorful and Functional Creations
At Hitch’n Stitch, Kathy Jo chooses colorful, fun, and eye-catching prints that bring joy and vibrancy to everyday items. Her crochet creations are made with practicality in mind, as all items are washable and durable. Even the buttons and ties on her clothing items serve a purpose, making them not only beautiful but functional as well. And when it comes to her baby sweaters, Kathy Jo designs them to be passed down or repurposed, such as being put on a teddy bear for continued use.
Supporting Local Markets
Established in 2018, Hitch’n Stitch has become a beloved presence at local markets and bazaars. Kathy Jo is a strong advocate for these community events, noting, “The network of local markets is quite extensive, and the vendors are all knowledgeable and friendly.” She encourages everyone in Junction City to explore what the community has to offer. “The weekly markets and seasonal bazaars are great places to support small businesses and find fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafts, gifts, and more,” she adds.
Be sure to visit Kathy Jo and discover the unique, handmade items she brings to each market. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or a colorful addition to your home, Hitch’n Stitch has something special for everyone!
Caribbean Hot Sauce
Meet Mila and Jasper Urieta, the dynamic duo behind Caribbean Hot Sauce, a vibrant new addition to our market scene. Hailing from Colombia and Panama, Mila and Jasper bring a unique Caribbean flair to the heart of Junction City.
From Hobby to Hot Sauce
What started as Jasper’s hobby in 2023 has blossomed into a thriving small business, one that they are incredibly proud of.
Locally Sourced, Island Inspired
Their secret? Fresh, locally sourced habaneros from farmers in Manhattan, KS, carefully processed in a commercial kitchen to ensure the highest quality. Every bottle of Caribbean Hot Sauce is crafted with care, offering a taste of the islands right here in our community.
Sharing the Heat, Spreading the Love
Mila and Jasper love serving this community and are excited about what the future holds. With dreams of getting their sauce into stores by next year, they are on a mission to share their Caribbean-inspired flavors far and wide. Be sure to stop by their booth at the market, where you’ll find a little taste of the Caribbean, made with love and local ingredients!
OSO Keychains
This month, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Claudia and Steven Fregoso, the creative duo behind OSO Keychains. Claudia, a proud stay-at-home fur baby mom of three, and her husband Steven, a dedicated United States Army soldier, bring their love for crafting and community to the Junction City Main Street Market each week. Together, they create beautiful keychains and earrings that add a personal touch to everyday accessories.
The Creative Process
At OSO Keychains, each piece is handmade with care and attention to detail. The process of making a keychain varies depending on the style, chain length, color, and size of the pendant. From measuring and cutting to assembling and packaging, Claudia spends 3-5 minutes on each keychain to ensure it’s perfect. Earrings are created based on color and take just about a minute to craft. Despite the simplicity of the process, each item is unique and thoughtfully designed.
A Love for Accessories Turned Business
Claudia’s passion for keychains started at a young age during her travels. As a child, she loved picking out a keychain from gift shops to display on her backpack, a tradition she continues today by adorning her car keys with her favorite designs. Her love for earrings also began early on, and when she couldn’t find a particular style in stores, she decided to make her own. Encouraged by friends who requested custom pairs, Claudia soon found herself adding more earrings to her collection and eventually decided to start selling them after attending Junk in the Trunk as a vendor and getting a positive reaction from the Main Street Market team!
A Welcoming Community
Claudia and Steven have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome they’ve received from the Junction City community. They love the opportunity to interact with their customers on a personal level each week, hearing about their past adventures and daily lives in JC. The support and encouragement from the community have been a driving force behind their growing business.
Be sure to visit OSO Keychains at the Junction City Main Street Market to explore their collection of unique keychains and earrings. Whether you’re looking for a special gift or a new accessory for yourself, Claudia and Steven have something for everyone. Don’t miss out on these handcrafted treasures!
A&H Farms
See You at the Main Street Market!
As we wrap up another month at Junction City’s Main Street Market, we’re filled with gratitude for our wonderful community and the incredible vendors who make this market such a special place. From the handmade crafts to the freshest produce, our vendors bring their hearts and talents to every item they sell, creating a unique experience for everyone who visits.
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a bit more about the people behind the booths and the passion that drives them to share their creations with us all. Be sure to visit the market as the season winds down, at the end of October. Explore new offerings and support our local vendors. Thank you for being a part of this vibrant community—see you at the Main Street Market!
