Cuba soon will have a Root 66 farmers market

The organizer of a new farmers market in Cuba, Mo., is seeking vendors — and Route 66 customers — when her Root 66 Market later this month, reported the Cuba Free Press.

Kelly Stroh is opening the market the same weekend as the annual Run to the Rocker footrace event on March 31, which goes from Cuba to the Fanning Route 66 Outpost west of town.

The newspaper said:

“I’m really excited about this new project of mine,” Stroh told Three Rivers Publishing. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I really believe there’s a need for a good farmer’s market in this area. I’m hoping that a central location in Cuba will draw traffic both from Route 66 and the tourists heading to Steelville on Highway 19. And I expect there will also be local people really interested in getting good, fresh produce.” […]

Stroh ran a Saturday morning farmer’s market in Steelville last year. She said it went well and she learned a great deal, but she hopes that Cuba will draw even more vendors and customers in a better location.

“I envision this eventually becoming like a little Soulard,” she commented. “A lot of farmer’s markets have failed because they have a well-intentioned idea, but they don’t have any real direction or promotion. I’ll be promoting this hard through the local chambers of commerce and through an advertising campaign, fliers, and through Facebook. My job will be in marketing the market to the community. The only way it can be successful and continue to grow is by having quality vendors. If we make sure to have good vendors with a good product for sale, it can be a huge success.”

The market will be at Missouri Highway 19 and Margaret Avenue (map here), a few blocks north of Route 66. It will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Saturdays. Stroh hopes to add Sunday hours by summer.

Stroh can be contacted at 573-743-6777 or 314-412-2288 if you’re interested in being a vendor.