Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden
The food court at the Best of Missouri Market.
Knock out all your winter holiday shopping this year—or, y’know, treat yourself—with locally produced goodies at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Best of Missouri Market. The market kicks off Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and runs Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year, more than 130 vendors are participating, including 30 brand-new to the market, and plenty of returning favorites.
Missouri Wildflowers Nursery has been a market mainstay since the event began 28 years ago, offering seeds and plants that are native to the Show-Me State. And Schnucks is back again with their floral booth—the calendar, if not the thermometer, says it’s time for mums, and they’ll have a great selection.
Mighty Cricket has been creating plenty of buzz with its waffle mixes and other edibles made with crickets, a highly sustainable source of protein. Urban Buds farms flowers in South City, and Corn Creek Greenhouses pots adorable succulents. Intriguing offerings from Anya’s Apothekere include savory fermented honey sauces.
There’s pottery, textiles, jewelry, and plenty more. The focus is on offerings from Missouri, though there are guest vendors as well. The selection committee winnows a tremendous pool of applicants, looking for the highest quality and best variety.
“It is like Etsy live,” says Chelsea Bowerman, senior events coordinator at the Garden.
Except Etsy doesn’t give out samples or have live bands, and you can’t get craft beer or cocktails online, either.
“There’s a food court, of course, if you’re not full from all the samples,” Bowerman says.
The kids’ corner includes lots of tot-friendly activities like crafts and a pumpkin patch. Also, Shetland sheep and alpacas are on hand for making friends—and great selfies. Yes, they’re in the kids’ area...but grown-up kids can pet the critters, too.
In the mood for more? The Historic Shaw Art Fair is also happening this weekend, so the Spink Pavilion entrance will be open, making it easy for folks to hit both events.
