Joplin Empire Market — Local services in Joplin

Love this place because it supports local farmers, businesses, and crafters.

This is Joplin local Farmers Market. It’s called Empire Market because the building was donated by the long time electric company servicing Joplin called Empire Electric.

It’s a beautiful old building that’s been carefully turned into a market. So convenient because it’s enclosed meaning shade from sun, warm in winter, and reasonably cool in summer.

There are usually a couple booths with pastries and a couple booths with food in the winter. More in summer. They have a commercial kitchen on site.

Today we preordered plants for our garden to be picked up on a date we could choose in a couple months. They have regular events and today they had Missouri conservation and a couple other societies focused on preservation of native plants for a seed exchange. We walked from both to both, about five in total, and were gifted with various packets of native plant seeds such as blazing star and milkweed. There were about twenty or thirty experts to talk to about growing and native plants. Though there were heirloom seeds too I think?? We got here at 1pm. Next time there is a seed exchange we’ll come early. It’s a well attended event that draws a crowd.

They have an amazing program where you can pre order market items for Saturday morning pick up. A great way to ensure you get market fresh items!

I talked to (Lindsey?) who was busy helping people at the market. We discussed the structure of Joplin Alliance and the various initiatives they undertake with only FOUR full time employees! Wow. They really do a great job!

Joplin Alliance (according to what I understood): Third Thursday - Main Street street event with business booths, artisans, food trucks, etc. Joplin Art Walk - first Thursday Downtown cleanup project teams And other various events such as a monthly business networking event called Wine Share?? They also undertake historical preservation initiatives and are pushing to find solutions to preserve the old Joplin Depot building. A gorgeous shell of a train depot building.

They are continually grateful for...

The market is new and growing! I can't wait to see how it will evolve over the years. This week, they added produce and there were even chocolate truffles there which I am ecstatic to see in a market! Finally, a non-healthy option. Lol. I am really happy with the prices on the gluten free items as well. It's cool inside so far even with the doors open. The space is really neat, too. It's fun to just look around and see how the building has been transformed. Booth space is listed on their instagram as $400 for the full year plus 3% of gross. There are other options, too (like $25 for a single day) so if you're a vendor or artist, make sure you go look at their...

They've switched to a token only payment system. Cash or cards are not accepted. You HAVE to buy the tokens to buy from the vendors. I bought a $5 token and was charged a 50 cent "convenience fee" without being told. I got the notification for the purchase as I was leaving. I went back to counter and the woman said she told me about it - she didn't - and it was to cover the cost of using the machine. Webb City doesn't charge a fee for their tokens - which aren't mandatory, either. She said "This isn't Webb City". There's only 1 vendor selling produce, so it's not worth the fee or the poor customer service. I...