Gahanna-area residents can shop for homemade products like jewelry and soaps in addition to locally grown produce every week at the Creekside Marketplace, formerly the Creekside Farmers Market.

The market opened for the season June 30 with about 10 vendors and will continue from 4 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 1.

In talking to patrons, former market manager Barbara Drobnick said, people wanted the Olde Gahanna Community Partnership (OGCP) to consider adding handcrafted items to the market.

"We're still finding our way," she said. "We want a natural feel."

The OGCP is a nonprofit group of businesses, organizations and residents who work together to promote the advantages and address the challenges of the downtown Gahanna community, Drobnick said.

She hopes additional vendors and free parking will give the market - now in its third year - a boost.

"Farmers markets are becoming very popular as people realize all the benefits, and we're happy to bring this opportunity to downtown Gahanna," said Amy Evans, OGCP director. "They not only support the local community, but there are well-known health benefits, not to mention the wonderful taste benefits of eating locally grown food."

New market manager Jim Taglia of Pataskala also is a first-time vendor from Hayman's Farm, offering free-range eggs, fresh-cut flowers, garlic, baby Asian greens and catnip.

"I wanted to find a middle-of-the-week market," Taglia said. "Other people had participated in Gahanna and said it was good."

He also sold homemade breads, including apple cinnamon and garlic herb. Later in the season, he'll sell watermelon, cucumbers, squash and pumpkins.

Gahanna's Andrea Crandell is owner/designer of Bead Works, offering jewelry made of all natural materials like glass, semi-precious stones, shell and wood.

"I focus on necklaces and earrings," she said. "I also sell bracelets, key chains and lighted wine bottles. I'm trying to keep it reasonably priced. We'll try to be here all season."

Gahanna's Theresa Cloud Eagle Nelson will offer Divine Essentials - all-natural, organic, therapeutic aromatherapy.

"We use all-natural ingredients," she said. "Our hair oil and hand cream are popular."

She plans to be at the market all season, she said, with such products as a citrus ginger hand cream, mango foot cream and smooth and soft hair moisturizer.

Blacklick's Pick Me Farms participated for the first time at the Marketplace with homemade spicy chipotle honey mustard, zucchini, cucumbers, blackberries and cabbage.

Mike Mampieri, of Pick Me Farms, said he imports some seeds from Italy that provide some unique vegetables.

"We also have our own honey," he said.

Also a first-time vendor at the Marketplace is Cherbough Bakery, selling gluten-free goodies.

"The lemon bars are our most popular," owner Geri Peacock said. "We're a wholesale bakery. I'll be here all season."

Other sweet treats include a flowerless chocolate chip cookie, strawberry shortcake and cutout cookies.

Westerville's Peggy Riley makes homemade soaps marketed as "Natural Glow."

"They're made with olive oil with a recipe started by my grandmother," she said. "This is the first year we started to sell and market them."

Taglia said the market has room for about 30 more vendors. Cost is $12.50 a week for the whole season or $17 per week.

Proceeds support the OGCP for various events and activities.

For more information or to become a vendor, call Taglia at (740) 973-2328 or visit www.OldeGahanna.com.