Even before the market officially opens, the stalls are surrounded by eager visitors, wandering through the rows of vendors, coffee in hand, eyeing their favourites and deciding what their first purchase will be.
Though the vendors are set up and ready, no one is allowed to shop until the clock strikes 10 a.m.
Once it does, the pace at the market shifts immediately. Shoppers begin lining up at their favourite stalls, many making their way straight to the flower booth filled with soft pastel arrangements.
Abby Kozma is behind the table, smiling as she speaks with customers and helps them with their purchases. She is the grower, designer and maker behind Fernwood and Co., a flower farm located in Sturgeon County.
She said this is her third year selling at the market. One of the reasons she keeps coming back is due to the customers.
"I would say the customers, like, they love coming and getting their weekly bouquet and like that means a lot to me, and that's kind of my motivation to come every week," said Kozma. "I love growing the flowers and just like them, being able to share them with people, it makes an impact on me."
Kozma began her career in flower shops, but her path changed when she returned to her childhood acreage.
"I wanted to kind of honour my dad, and grow stuff on the property," she said. "And I really loved being outside, and I needed a reason to plant more flower beds and more flowers. So, it kind of just evolved into the business it is."
Kozma said that she likes to grow flowers that are soft and pretty, ranunculus are her personal favourite flower and are currently finishing blooming for the season. Every week, Kozma harvests on Thursday, arranges bouquets on Friday, and sells them at the market on Saturday.
"They are as fresh as they possibly can be," she said.
Some flowers are grown just for drying, while others are used fresh and then dried. Kozma hangs most of them upside down in her studio, later using them for wreaths, dried bouquets, and even wedding arrangements.
"With such a short growing season, it is nice to have something locally grown that you can work with all year," she said.
Among her most popular items are small milk jar arrangements. Customers often purchase them as gifts to share with friends or family during the week.
"People love to come and get milk jars, and they just gift them to people all week," she said. "It is really nice that they can share them."
For some, a bouquet is a small luxury. For others, it is a weekly ritual that brings happiness.
"Knowing that what they buy is going to be enjoyed, or that they are going to share it with someone else, that joy keeps going," she said. "Once you hand the flowers over, they are going to be really enjoyed for the week."
Kozma said every market ends the same way. She drives home with a full heart and a smile, grateful for the customers who keep coming back.
"Just phenomenal," she said. "I am so happy to be here and to have the support of customers every week. It just keeps growing, which is really exciting to see."
The St. Albert Farmers' Market runs every Saturday on St. Anne Street, St. Anne Promenade and St. Thomas Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
