Agway to Host Winter Farmers Market

Chelmsford's Town Common farmers market will end in October, but Chelmsford Agway plans to start a second event that will roll from November into early next year.

During a management meeting in July with new owners Manny and Lisa Bougoulas, who took over in March, the topic of a winter farmers market entered the conversation.  

Now, Lisa Bougoulas is sending out vendor applications for a 2010-2011 winter farmers market, to be hosted in the Agway greenhouse on Saturdays from Nov. 13 to Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"This whole thing empties out in the winter, so I felt that, you know what, let's do a farmers market," she said.

Glenn Serra, one of the store managers, told Lisa Bougoulas that about 10 to 15 tables could fit inside the greenhouse, which in the spring and summer is filled by grills and other seasonal items.

After voicing the interest to Town Hall, Lisa was put in contact with Susan Gates, who runs the Town Common farmers market. Gates gave her event planning pointers that helped her get the process started.

"She's been fabulous. She's the one that totally got me going on this. I wouldn't be where I am right now without her help," Lisa Bougoulas said of Gates.

Originally both in the finance and accounting business, the Bougoulases took over Chelmsford Agway because they were "we were looking for a change, a new direction," Manny Bougoulas said.

Agway interested the couple, Manny Bougoulas said, because it was "a quirky business." The store's products range from gardening supplies to pet and farm products.

However, as soon as they bought the business, busy season began. According to Lisa Bougoulas, a significant portion of Agway's yearly sales take place between April through June.

"We jumped right into the fire," she said, "now we're coming up for air and looking for ways to expand the business."

Manny Bougoulas credits the store's success in weathering busy season, while changing ownership, to the employees.

"We have a great management team and a great staff," he said. After buying the store, Manny and Lisa Bougoulas retained the entire staff, which has extensive experience at the store."

"Manny and Lisa trust us a lot… It's been a win-win situation," said Matt Landry, another store manger.

Work on reaching out to potential customers and vendors is already underway. In addition to sending out applications and emails, an official blog has been created, which has also received mention on the store's Facebook page.

As of Sept. 10, nine vendors have already confirmed: Jones Farm, Springdell Farms, C&C Lobsters, Fior'D Italia, West River Creamery, Tower Rootbeer, In Good Taste, Danish Pastry, and AIP Industries.

Aside from planning the winter market, Manny and Lisa Bougoulas said their plans for the store's future include giving it a facelift and bringing in new products,  as well as coming up with a new name for the  business.

"Agway is well known among the older crowd, but younger people don't know what an Agway is," he said.

Along with these objectives, Lisa Bougoulas said, planning the winter farmers market is a rewarding challenge in itself.

"It's kind of a big undertaking because I've never done anything like this before but it's actually been fun," she said.