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The Bounty by the Bay Farmers Market is returning to Bay Shore’s Main Street Bandshell thanks to a wildly successful launch in 2016.
Beginning on May 19, the market will run every Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 29.
“The [market] was great last year, everyone loved it, and we had a wonderful turnout,” said Bounty by the Bay’s manager, Melissa Dunstatter.
Dunstatter, who owns Sweet Melissa 1932 Farm to Table Food Truck, manages nine other markets on the island.
“Its a great summer market,” she said of Bay Shore’s. “We get a lot of traffic, especially from those taking the ferries.”
The market is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bay Shore.
“We are back by popular demand,” said Donna Periconi, the chamber’s president, saying the market has been so successful in large part “because we have a perfect venue.”
“We utilize the park, and the bandshell works great with our wonderful vendors,” she said.
“The relationship we have with Melissa has been outstanding,” Periconi added. “She is a lovely, wonderful person.”
Bounty by the Bay’s popularity has also garnered attention from other island business owners, with the vendors list growing from 18 to 30 this year.
According to Dunstatter, there will be an even wider array of products in 2017, from ethnic foods to organic fruits and vegetables.
One of the new faces, for example, will be German Town, a company that sells all types of German-style foods.
“There are so many great small businesses on Long Island,” said Dunstatter “But many can’t afford rent, so the market allows them to have their own store.”
A business that’s being helped by the market is Paula Delford’s Paula’s Perogies.
“I do a few markets,” said Delford, “And Bay Shore is my favorite because it is very busy and the people are very nice.”
Periconi gave much credit to Sabrina Rettaliata, a Bay Shore community member and chamber volunteer who worked with Periconi and board member Drew Allt to bring the market to Bay Shore.
“Bringing the market in last year was a perfect fit for Bay Shore’s renaissance,” Rettaliata said. “We work very hard to source the best local vendors in each category to bring the best to Bay Shore.”
Aside from the vendors, this year’s Bounty by the Bay installments will also feature special activities like cooking demonstrations, yoga, live music performances, and more.
Photo: A scene from last year’s Bounty By the Bay Farmers Market. (file photo)
