Patrons were lined up at both doors into the Butler City Farmer’s Market early Saturday morning, much to the delight of Mayor Bob Dandoy, who said the inaugural market of the 2023 season saw a record number of both shoppers and vendors.

“You couldn’t move in here when we first opened and it’s been a steady stream since then,” Dandoy said at almost 10 a.m.

The goods sold by the 21 vendors at the market between Race and Shore streets included handmade soap, coffee, produce, T-shirts, houseplants, hanging baskets, locally raised meat, cheese ball and soup mix, baked goods, and other items.

The smell of the Greek and Italian food wafting through the open-air building likely caused even the fullest stomach to growl.

Everyone who perused the booths at the market smiled as they did so and greeted others with a friendly “hello.”

Joe Rakoci and Jen McCurdy of Penn Township decided to check out the market for the first time before they attended the Prospect Memorial Day Parade, which their son appeared in.

“I haven’t been here since I was in high school,” said Rakoci, who is a 1995 Butler Senior High graduate. “It was wide-open then, and you could skate board.”

“It’s always nice to have fresh produce,” said McCurdy. “You can’t beat that.”

Dandoy said the spring produce available at the market on Saturday, such as onions, radishes, bok choy and rhubarb, were indeed the freshest available.

“Some of this stuff was in the ground this morning,” he said.

Nancy Kaufman, of Center Township, smiled widely as she waited in the 23-person line for Nedal Gyro’s tempting Greek fare.

She called the market her usual Saturday event.

“I’ve been waiting all winter for this,” she said. “I love the friendliness of the people and I like to support local farmers.”

Mimi Davanzatti, of Butler Township, chatted with Kaufman as she also waited in line to get some baklava, a sweet and buttery Greek pastry.

She also planned to order a gyro, but with chicken.

“I had a pet lamb,” Davanzatti said.

She also purchased blueberry coffee from Rock Falls Coffee & Tea.

“I’ve been waiting all winter for that coffee,” she said.

Davanzatti, who grew up in Butler as Mimi Miller, said she also enjoys running into old friends and making new acquaintances, like Kaufman.

“I think it’s a really good area for it,” she said of the market’s location. “It’s pretty central for people to access.”

Savannah Lyle, 8, of Butler Township, enjoyed the ambience of the market.

“It’s lovely,” she said.

Savannah munched on an oreo cheesecake cookie in the sun outside the market.

“They’re really good,” she said of the baked confection.

Her brother, Sebastian, 5, also enjoyed the market.

“I like the plants and cookies,” he said.

Their mother, Kelly, said venues like the farmers market teaches her children the importance of flowers and gardening.

“It’s something we enjoy doing as a family,” she said of the market.

Dave Stirland, of Spur Hollow Farm in Grove City, sold naturally grown radishes, bok choy, arugula and salad mix on Saturday.

“This is our best market,” Stirland said as he handed a shopper her change. “The number of people coming out is pretty incredible.”

He said he brings 35 types of vegetables to the Butler market and also the Grove City farmers market.

Dandoy, who picked up some homemade rice balls from the Bellisimo stand, said the city is a food desert, so the farmer’s market provides a service to residents in addition to the venue those living outside the city limits enjoy each Saturday morning.

“It brings healthy food to people living in the city,” he said.

Dandoy said he and other volunteers scrubbed tables and swept out the farmers market building on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s event, which he called “overwhelming.”

“I was doing this long before I was mayor and I’ll be doing it after I’m done,” Dandoy said. “It’s a beautiful day in Butler.”