Thinking of something to do on the beautiful days coming this spring? Just 24 minutes away from campus, Virginia Beach Farmers Market is the best place to go for a little adventure as numerous shops are open to visit in the same area.
There are produce markets, a little restaurant, an ice cream shop and little shops around. As warmer weather comes, events will start to begin again.
Flutterby Soap Company is a handmade soap and body product shop that provides all natural, palm oil free and vegan soaps. Valerie Goulart, Flutterby Soap Co.’s founder and owner, sells vegan soaps, lotions, scrubs, deodorant and other body care products.
The shop has been at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market for 7 and a half years and run by the Goulart family.
Emma Goulart, Valerie Goulart’s daughter, said, “The most popular year round soap is beach bum and has sea salt in it so it’s a little bit more exfoliating. I would also say the tobacco leaf and amber beer soap [is too]. Now, that one’s a pretty popular one.”
The cost of all homemade soaps is $7 and lotion bars are $10 that are affordable prices that are available for everyone to purchase. Each item will be fit for each person based on their favorite scents.
The popular sea salt scrub and sugar scrub are great gentle exfoliants for the body that cost $12 and $23.
Their shop hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Don’t be shy and swing by Flutterby Soap Company.
It is open year round at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market. Visit their Facebook @FlutterbySoapCompany and website at Flutterbysoapcompany.com to find more updates and information.
Lisa’s Tinker Treasures sells cute jewelry, dream catchers, crystals and decor items that has been open for seven years. The shop provides a large collection in a little space, so everyone can find something that piques their interest.
Lisa Pruce and her family make numerous products that are sold at affordable prices. Pruce said, “We have crystals, fun stuff for dorms like dream catchers that can brighten up a dorm room and coffee mugs.”
Their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday year round. Visit their Facebook @LisaTinkersTreasures to find more information.
While walking through the shops you may crave a sweet treat, so stop by Gilly’s Creamery. The products are shipped from Illinois, and the ice cream is made in the shop as well as their fresh waffle cones. Gilly’s Creamery offers a range of traditional and gourmet ice cream flavors made on-site daily along with coffee, glass-bottled milk and dairy products.
You can look forward to trying new frozen treats at Gilly’s Creamery because the shop alternates numerous flavors every day. Other options that customers can order are sorbets, cakes and pies too.
Marie Powers, an employee of Gilly’s Creamery, shared about the shop’s popular flavors that she recommends to customers. “When people come in and ask what we would recommend, it’s usually butter pecan or cookies and cream because those are our best sellers. My personal favorite is coffee crunch,” said Powers.
Their hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Sunday through Friday and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. year round. Customers can find their information on their website at gillyscreamery.com and Facebook @Gillyscreamery.
The Virginia Beach Farmers Market provides space to shop for fresh produce that opens in March to April and closes around December. It has many shops for everyone to purchase products and engage in activities.
Pruce added, “I believe it’s a team here. We’re all kind of a destination. So I believe that to come here is kind of like just, you can spend an hour here getting some ice cream or having lunch breakfast”
Spring carnivals hosted by Boardwalk Attractions returned this season on March 19. Rides take 3-4 tickets, and the ticket pricing is $30 for 25 tickets or single tickets cost $1.50.
People can also celebrate the market’s 46th birthday on April 23 by attending the carnival to enjoy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The warm weather will surely bring you and friends outside to the farmers market this spring semester.
During the summer, visit the strawberry jamboree on May 14 and honey festival on June 18 to celebrate at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market.
Visit Virginia Beach Farmers Market at 3640 Dam Neck Road in Virginia Beach to shop, go on carnival rides and support local businesses. Guests can also check on the website at vbgov.com/farmersmarket or @VBFarmersMarket on Facebook to find more information about upcoming events.
by Mikayala Moscatelli
mamoscatelli@vwu.edu
