Pepper Place Saturday Market in Birmingham, Alabama
Pepper Place: My favorite Saturday Morning destination!
April 12, 2014 -- Opening Day!
Saturday April 13th is start the date for the Pepper Place outdoor market for 2014. The hours are the same, rain or shine: 7AM until Noon.
In the early spring, Pepper Place is THE place to find flats of plants for your yard and garden. As summer rolls in, fresh produce increases. We are talking fresh peaches in the spring, blueberries and blackberries in June and July. Who knows, you just might find summer squash as early as May.
The expanded market opens in early May and spills out into the streets surrounding Pepper Place. Some of the most beautiful locally grown sunflowers have been spotted in several of the booths right about that time. September is ripe time for pumpkins, gourds and apples. Some of the best sweet potatoes can be found there as well.
What else can you find at this event? You might see hand-crafted clothing, yard ornaments, and organic soap. Honey, stone-ground grits, goat cheese, pineapple upside down cake and scones have also appeared. Sometimes there is slow churned vanilla ice cream, hand squeezed lemonade, and hot dogs! Last year a few of the local food trucks have made an appearance, too. Plan on eating breakfast when you arrive and finish your excursion with lunch.
The market is, naturally, smaller in November and December because there is less locally grown fresh produce, but you will find tons of handmade Holiday items for sale. I have personally seen wonderful prices on beautiful handmade evergreen wreaths. Scroll down to see the 2010 poster for the Holiday Market.
Since the Pepper Place Market's inception in 1999, it has become a great event for Birmingham during the summer. The market occurs on Saturdays-- rain or shine! The Pepper Place Market will open promptly at 7:00 am and close at noon each market day.
Children and pets (on a leash!) are very welcome. Make sure your children are on a short leash so they won't trip the AARP folks - just kidding!
December 13th is the last official Pepper Place Saturday Market for 2014. Don't you dare miss it if you are in Birmingham.
(Images made by me with an iPhone! Please ask before you use.)
My Own Images of Pepper Place Saturday Market - One of Birmingham's favorite destinations April through October!
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Pepper Place History
It wasn't always a place to take the kids and family.
Formerly the Dr. Pepper Syrup Plant and Bottling Company, the complex is a group of seven buildings totaling more than 227,000 square feet. After extensive renovation, the complex currently houses Birmingham's premier design center as well as a Farmer's Market, theater ,and several restaurants. The Pepper Place Complex is among Birmingham's 24 commercial revitalization districts that are subject to design review protection. This highly visible renovation project has been celebrated in several major magazine articles and a CNN television feature. To read more go to History of Pepper Place: Birmingham's Design and Entertainment Destination.
The Pepper Place Market began its tenth year of operation beginning on May 16, 2009. The Market closes off 29th Street South between 2nd Ave. South and 4rd Ave. South to accommodate local farmers, artisans, and fresh food vendors. There is a map to help you find the market below if you keep on scrolling.
Oh, and let me not forget to share that there are cooking demonstrations at 9AM! The featured chef always has samples for the crowd to taste. Yum!
There is a theater located at Pepper Place. TNT which stands for Terrific New Theatre is a fabulous venue. I love attending the plays Carl Stewart chooses for his productions. More often than not, the performance is one that will make you smile. My favorite performances in the past have been the "Texas Tuna" comedies.
One of my favorite home decor stores is also found in Pepper Place. I recently bought a chair from Richard Tubb Interiors.
(image is of my youngest daughter and my oldest grandchild, "Babycakes" - I think she just finished that cookie I bought from Culinard!)
You WILL need a bag or cart if you go to the farmer's market! - Be easy on yourself and the environment!
I use cloth tote bags when I go to Pepper Place Farmer's Market. I also bring my own plastic bags from home. Most of the farmers use the white plastic bags you see in most grocery stores, and I do not need any more of them in my house.
The market here is very crowded, so a rolling cart is not practical for me to use. However, I can see where a rolling cart would be a good thing on less crowded days or early in the morning.
Pepper Place Saturday Market abounds with wonders that awaken the senses! (Southern Living Magazine)
Here is why I love Pepper Place Market for Breakfast! - The Pictures tell the story ~ click on small pictures to make them larger and see comments.
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Why You Should Go To Pepper Place! - A Professional Video about the Pepper Place Saturday Market:
The Pepper Place Saturday Market! a video by Larry O. Gay
Pepper Place--for a Cooking Good Time
Chefs from local restaurants begin cooking at 9:00
One of the most popular features at Pepper Place Saturday Market is the cooking demonstrations. Beginning at 9:00AM, chefs from a featured local restaurant will be stirring up delights using produce found in the Market. I must add that the gathered crowd will be served samples from that day's dish.
To see what has been created in the past or to find tasty recipes, click Recipes: Birmingham Farmers Market.
How To Find Pepper Place:
Music can be heard every Saturday at Pepper Place
Fidlin' In the Parlor--only two of the muscians that you might hear at the Pepper Place Saturday Market!
Pepper Place Harvest and Holiday Market! - Begins in October!
In the South, the autumn is glorious and the weather is so very conducive for spending Saturday mornings outside!
Continue spending your Saturday mornings at Pepper Place thru December!
I just love this poster from two years ago!
