Farmers Market Master Leaves with Fond Memories

Sunday is a big day for Gwen Ross, the market master of the Royal Oak Farmers Market. Not only will she be celebrating her 70th birthday, she's retiring after 12-plus years. Ross has decided it’s time to move on.

Ross said she almost accepted a position with another market a few years ago, but as she looked out at a corn roast taking place she remembers thinking to herself, “Who will take care of my farmers if I leave?" She knew she wasn’t quite ready to move on. Her time is now.

“I started on a Sunday and am ending on a Sunday," said Ross, who  came into the office at the market a dozen years ago simply to help out. Two months after she started, she stepped into the market master position.

“It’s been a sometimes bumpy, yet joyous ride,” Ross said. "I've loved every minute of it."

“When I started at the market we only offered produce and plants.  Over the years it’s been a priority for me to create more diversity,” Ross said.  That expansion can be seen with the various offerings of vendors who come from all over the state to share their Michigan products at the market.

Gerald Nelson of Nelson Maple Products of Imlay City has enjoyed working with Ross over the years. “She has always been very good to me,” he said. “Gwen treats me very well and I’ll miss seeing her around." Nelson has been supplying fresh maple syrup to marketgoers for almost four years. 

Ross recalls many wonderful experiences she’s had over the years.  She is particulary proud of the completion of the new kitchen. When Ross started at the market she said one of the first things she noted was it was "disgusting and needed a serious upgrade."  She made a rough sketch of what she wanted to see in the kitchen. It took 10 years for her vision to be realized.  Today, the market kitchen provides breakfast and lunch items to patrons and is available for party rentals and events.

Vendors say they will miss Ross' energy and passion for the market.  Jeff Thomas, owner of Sweet Potato Sensations, said he has enjoyed working with Ross. “We are really going to miss her,” said Thomas, who has been a vendor at the market for less than a year. 

"She is really a great person. Because of her positive, enthusiastic attitude towards our products, a lot of other market opportunities were created.  I am very thankful to her.”

Royal Oak's , a mushroom seller from Royal Oak who also has worked at the market since December 2007. Her official role has been event planner. Mazur embraces the opportunity to support the market in her new position and has appreciated the training and guidance from Ross. 

“Some things just can’t be taught,” Ross said. “Knowing who to call when a stall needs to be filled or how to arrange the floor so it’s always full comes with making connections and knowing your market.” 

Ross has held many different leadership roles in the past and has used her skills to make the market a flourishing community for everyone involved.

Marketgoers say they love seeing her face. Kay and Richard LaCombe, longtime residents of Royal Oak, have known Ross for years. They were regular shoppers at the market before she worked there. After a warm embrace, the LaCombes say Ross has done so much for the market.  "We are sad to see this end for her, but wish her well and know we’ll see her around.”

What’s next for Ross?

Although she will no longer be employed with the market, she’ll still be a part of it. Marketgoers might just see her among the crowd perusing produce or selling handmade gift cards she makes with her 4-year-old granddaughter Hanna Richardson.

These days, Ross' greatest joy is spending time with her granddaughter. “I think that grandchildren are God’s reward for all of our previous struggles," she said. "I’ve certainly had my share of loss, tragedy and sadness and am ready for this next adventure in my life.”

But she's not going far. “I was a vendor here long before I started working here," Ross said. "I’ll be around. It’s a part of who I am."

Stop by the Farmers Market on Sunday to share a birthday wish and a farewell message with her.