From teachers and bakers to parents and former surgeons, people from all walks of life bring their diverse cultures and talents to the farmer’s market.
The Manassas Farmers market was established in 1987 and is open on Saturdays from Jan. 18 to March 22, 2025. It operates on these Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market was voted Virginia’s Best Market in 2020 and “Best in Northern Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine in 2023 and 2024.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, my friend and I wandered through the market, eager to uncover the stories behind the diverse vendors and bring the stories to life.
When we entered, the rich smell of coffee filled the air, drawing us to the Dew Coffee supply stand.
Hisham and his brother preparing the stand for the morning rush. The various products are propped up, ready to sell their bestselling sparkling cold brew.
Founder Hisham is a first-generation immigrant from Ethiopia and was inspired by traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. This influenced him to put a unique spin on coffee by making a sparkling cold brew.
“We were very curious about sparkling espresso and started researching it, and decided to try it with cold brew, and little by little we started roasting our own beans,” Hisham said.
Similarly, we found ourselves captivated by the Crispy Crepe stand, not just by the delicious offerings but by the unique drinks it served. Driven by the desire to share their culture, the owner, originally from Thailand, is inspired to introduce people to the flavors of his heritage through authentic Thai teas and crispy crepes. They offered not only traditional Thai tea but also coffee and matcha, all with boba toppings. In addition to their sweet and savory crepes, their menu featured dishes like fried chicken, rice, and spring rolls.
Papa G runs his self-titled food stand himself and the smell of his rich, inviting food filled the air. He has been in business for 10 years and has brought his various flavors of African cuisine to the market for three.
We were captivated by the earthy tones and aesthetic presentation of the body care products of Dolshea, leading to a conversation with the founder, Ashley. She welcomed us with samples of lip products and an array of informational materials, offering insight to her story. She shared that she launched the business on Jan. 4 of this year.
On the website, you learn how she incorporates organic, raw, unrefined Ghanaian shea butter into every product. She also prioritizes sustainable packaging and local sourcing to promote sustainability.
When asked about her favorite part so far about being at the farmers market, Ashley
said, “getting introduced to other vendors and investing in my local community, and I like to see the customers’ genuine reaction when they try the product at hand.”
One of the many sweets that the market had to offer was Suhweets. A hobby of seven years that started at home turned into a business where founder Suhei, is opening a shop in April in Old Town Manassas. We spoke to her husband, who was running the
stand that day. He expressed how the market has been something new for them, and they were only four weeks in!
Their selection of sweets was minimal, making it easier to choose. The options included chocolate chip cookies, as well as strawberry, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes.
“The weather has definitely been an issue at the market, and we look forward to springtime to see how the market changes,” he said.
Next, we spoke to Mike Omar, the founder of Humble Pie! The pie is made with navy beans, and is filled with fiber, protein and vitamins. Being drawn in by the name, we asked what the meaning was behind it.
“Humble Pie comes from personal experience in life through its ups and downs and curves, and it will force you to be a humbler person” Omar said.
As we continued exploring the market, we also had the chance to speak with local teacher Jordan, who was selling her crochet goods.
When asked how she balances teaching and crocheting, she explained, “I started crocheting because it helps me relax and keeps my hands busy. It is a nice creative outlet.”
After hearing about Jordan’s creative outlet, we learned about another inspiring journey. The next vendor we spoke with, Sharita Rouse, shared a unique story about her candy apple business.
“I started this business in 2017 and used to be an oral surgeon,” she said.
When asked about her sudden career change, she attributes the decision entirely to a calling from God and an act of faith. She shared that, despite never having made a candy apple before, she repeatedly dreamed about it. Feeling guided, she left her career in oral surgery to pursue her business, trusting in her faith every step of the way.
“My patients were my first customers, and I still have some patients who follow me and buy my treats,” Rouse said.
As we finished walking through the market, it was clear to us that each vendor had a unique story filled with passion. The farmers market proved that it is not just a place to buy goods, but a community where different stories come together. Each vendor had their own personal story and brought a unique sense to the market.
