Local market sellers feel pressure from rising business expenses

WILmington, NC (WECT) – Attendees at the Riverfront Farmers Market in Wilmington got stuck in the rain on Saturday to buy some of their favorite local goods.

For local sellers, rain hasn’t been the biggest drag lately. With prices for everything from gas to food to everyday items soaring, those selling goods at the farmers’ market say everything costs them more.

“Having to go through so many other sellers, I have to buy more quantity to get a better deal. And even that better deal is still top deals, you know, even just three months ago.” Says seller Jennifer Medari.

Medary owns and operates Kritter Couture & More, a local pet supplies company. She says she attends every Riverfront farmers market every Saturday morning, and she says she and other vendors see these price increases affect their sales.

“We sellers struggle in that we have customers who go out but may not necessarily buy, you know, they are interested in the product. They like the product, but it is not very cost-effective for them at the moment.” Medari says.

The recent rise in the prices of goods needed to run their business has caused sellers to raise their prices to turn a profit.

It affects the bottom line because my profits will go to more supplies. So it is always put to work. And so there is really no profit because I have to buy a lot in the hope that then I can sell it.” Medari says.

While Medary says it is adjusting to the change in the costs of running its business, it says that it and other vendors continue to receive significant support from the community.

“Our community is amazing. We are so fortunate that they love to support the locals, they love to support artists and we are so grateful for that I find that we make them come out more and more to support us, they do the most they can do for us so our community almost grows and makes it stronger,” says Medari.

Riverfront Farmers Market is Wilmington’s longest-running farmers market, and takes place every Saturday morning through November 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dock Street between 2 Water Streets downtown.

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