CHESTER, Vt. – If you have ever eagerly anticipated the arrival of the first crop of freshly picked sweet corn, or the juicy strawberries in season far too briefly, you may be familiar with Stone Village Farmer’s Market in Chester.
A town landmark located in Chester’s historic Stone Village district, the market on Route 103 is a favorite stop for people visiting the area or just passing through, and locals who rely on the seasonal market for fresh produce, local products such as baked goods, farm-raised wagyu beef, and artisan cheeses.
This year, the Stone Village Farmer’s Market is celebrating its 35th anniversary. The market’s endurance is thanks in part to a dedicated community of loyal customers who return every year, many of whom would admit the real draw of the market is its owners, Dave “Squatty” Cram, and his partner in business and life for more than 40 years Anna Coloutti.
Squatty and Anna’s determination and spirit, their dedication to quality, attentive customer service, and a resolve to live a healthy lifestyle, work outdoors, and eat the food they grow has kept the business going through floods, pandemic, disaster, and economic ups and downs. Even while facing challenges, Anna says, “It’s a good way of life; knowing where your food comes from, digging in the dirt, breathing fresh air. I love watching things grow.”
Before the couple purchased the land at Route 103, Anna and Squatty were renting a farmhouse on Route 10 in Gassetts. They each had jobs in the restaurant business; Anna worked as a waitress at Hartness House in Springfield at one point. But Anna had always been a naturalist, caring for the environment, understanding the importance of eating nutritious food.
When she was 35 years old, Anna said she and Squatty looked at each other and said, “we can either keep going like this, or we can try something new.” Knowing what Anna truly wanted was to follow her passion for sustainable living, Squatty researched and started “knocking on doors,” asking property owners along the well-traveled Route 103 if they were willing to sell some of their land. The couple bought half an acre of land from the Wrights, and started construction on the first structure for the farm market. They then leased more acres from Jeff Holden, and began to plow fields and plant their own produce to sell in the market. Thirty-five years later, as Anna celebrates her 70th birthday, she is amused by the karmic math of it all.
The market is a testament to the couple’s hard work and persistence, a labor of love. Anna thinks of it as a living, breathing thing, and she feels proud that, after everything, it is still standing tall. With its large, sliding barn doors, the main greenhouse, called the “showroom,” is big and bright, and filled with flowers and plants, and gorgeous hanging baskets. As the seasons change, so does the inventory of the market. Once the summer season is over, the shop will nearly explode in festive autumn decor, gourds, pumpkins, apples, and fall vegetables.
Anna handles the retail and administrative parts of the business, keeping the market lovingly stocked with local wares and unique items, all displayed beautifully with a country, crafty style. Anna has listened to her customers over the years, and sells items that fit their needs. “I don’t like to see anyone walk out empty-handed,” Anna admitted.
It brings Anna joy to think about the food she and Squatty grow being served and shared in homes throughout the area and beyond. “We have customers who have become friends from near and far,” Anna said. She is always willing to share recipes, tips for gardening, or how to jar or freeze fresh fruits and vegetables to last through the winter months.
The small crew at Stone Village Farmer’s Market is like family, Anna reflected, and another big reason for the market’s stamina. “We are fortunate to have a knowledgeable staff with common sense,” Anna emphasized. Barbara Jean “BJ” has been at the farm for 10 years, and her husband Jimmy has worked there for three. At 70 and 72, Anna and Squatty still thrive on the hard work and serving the community they’ve established.
Both born and raised in Springfield, Anna said Squatty was not a farmer when they met, and that he taught himself everything about agriculture and farming, including how to do his own maintenance on the tractors and equipment used to plant, tend, and harvest the crops. “If someone asks me where Squatty is,” Anna laughed, “I always say, he is ‘outstanding’ in his field.”
Squatty isn’t Dave Cram’s only nickname. Customers might know him as “Kernel Cram,” famous for his corn on the cob. As Squatty’s motto states, “Our business is growing because growing is our business.”
One Chester native, The Vermont Journal’s publisher Shawntae Webb, grew up just around the corner from the market, and remembers she and her cousin riding their bikes to Squatty’s to buy strawberries or flowers.
Open seven days per week, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Stone Village Farmer’s Market is a true local treasure. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stonevillagefarmersmarket.