Eckert’s will open its summer market in St. Louis County on Friday

By Emma Boyle // June 25, 2020

Eckert’s Farm will open a seasonal market at 79 Nationalway Shopping Center in Manchester this Friday, June 26. This marks the second year Eckert’s will be utilizing the old Office Depot building, a result of both the unavailability of the previous Gravois location and an effort to bring the Belleville, Illinois, farm’s products a bit closer to customers in St. Louis.  

“The bounty of the farm doesn’t get much better than this time of year,” said Angie Eckert, vice president of retail operations, in a press release. “Summer is always an opportunity to bring the experience of our farm, Country Store and Garden Center in Belleville directly to our guests from across the river.”

Customers will have access to most of the same products from Belleville location, with a plethora of fresh produce from the summer season. The market will offer homegrown fruits and vegetables, including peaches, blackberries, kale, onions, jalapenos, cantaloupe, corn and squash.  

The store also offers products from Eckert’s Country Store, such as fruit preserves, apple butter and other jams and jellies. Fresh-baked fruit pies, muffins, coffee cakes and meat products such as summer sausage, bacon and brats will also be available for purchase.  

eckert's seasonal market in manchester // photo courtesy eckert's

This year’s market will also bring some new additions to the lineup. “We are excited that we have Rolling Lawns Farm milk this year,” Eckert said. “Their milk really tastes like milk – it has good flavor. This will be our first year selling their projects.” 

She went on to add that she’s seen an uptick in home cooking recently, which has led to a heightened interest in local produce and items. “I feel like we’ve just been seeing a lot of customers come in and get fresh products because of cooking at home more,” Eckert said. “And just personally, I’m very passionate about cooking with local, fresh products.” 

Social distancing practices will be put in place to maintain customer safety at the market. All team members will be required to wear masks, and plexiglass has been installed at all cashier stations; markings have been made on the floors to help keep customers 6 feet apart.  

The Eckert’s St. Louis Seasonal Market will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of August.