Stephanie Ramey
Updated: 6 hours ago
Shop Talk
Q&A: Fresh food & community at the Market on Brussels
Photo I Courtesy of Discover Central Massachusetts
The Market on Brussels brings in local vendors like Woo Juice to sell their wares.
By Sloane M. Perron
Market on Brussels in Worcester is bringing farm-fresh produce straight to the city. Established in 2024 by Stephanie Ramey, the weekly open air food market connects shoppers with food producers from Central Massachusetts. Running every Sunday from May 18 to Oct. 26, marketgoers can purchase healthy food while supporting small businesses.
What inspired Market on Brussels?
We were really missing a robust weekend marketplace. There's been a huge void in the Worcester area since the one in the Canal District dissolved. There are several that still exist, but that one was interesting because it became part of people's tradition. You would go every week, grab your produce, then peruse over to BirchTree Bread Co. and wander around Crompton Collective.
My idea was to continue and revive that type of event. After doing an audit of current farmers’ markets, we found an opening on Sundays. This was a huge opportunity, so I picked up the phone and started calling farmers. We pulled off the first market in a 45-day window, which was insane.
How does Worcester benefit from having a weekly food market?
Food just brings people together. I saw it during my time leading the tourism bureau Discover Central MA. One of the things that has made Worcester shine is its diverse and vibrant food scene. I have this deep-set belief that quality food makes people travel. The right combination of vendors can attract people from other areas. So, we brought in vendors that maybe hadn't had an opportunity to showcase their products in Worcester before to add interest.
What makes this market special is it is set up like a supermarket. This could be an alternative to going to the grocery store. The goal is to check off all the major food categories and find the right vendors to satisfy that. We want to uplift the small businesses involved and provide healthy food for the community.
Why did it move from Exchange Street to Brussels Street?
Originally, I founded the Market on Exchange, but I had time constraints and could not maintain a weekly market.
A bio box for Stephanie Ramey
Julia Moriconi of Mrs. Moriconi's Ice Cream called me for event advice, and I asked her if she would be willing to take over the food market. She said yes and the market moved to her property on Brussels Street. Now we have a committee of small business owners dedicated to overseeing this event for the long haul.
You founded a food market, run The O Shop, and work at Rucker Investments. How do you wear so many hats?
I'm somebody who really likes to get projects up and running, and I'm very good at identifying reliable people to carry projects onward. I like to fix or build things.
In regard to the Market on Brussels, it was something really fun that checked off a personal passion of mine. I was able to build it and gift it to a group of people who are really going to make it succeed.
I am a multi-tasker by nature, and I like to surround myself with trustworthy people who I can empower to make decisions and take on responsibility, which allows me to extend my capacity.
How has Market on Brussels evolved since its launch?
I have been in marketing for a long time, and I haven't seen such an organic response to any project I've worked on. When we publicly posted the market was opening, the number of shares was incredible to see. There was a deeply rooted desire for a community-based market.
Vendors were excited by the fact we've changed to a weekly or bi-weekly option. We don't know how it's going to grow, but I have this feeling this event is going to become something very special for that part of the city. I want people to recognize the importance of actively supporting our small businesses.
What types of vendors are you hoping to attract at Market on Brussels?
The primary focus is really on food. There will be a limited number of spots for makers, but the goal is to focus on vendors to create an alternative to a grocery store experience. We're being selective to make sure we don't oversell one particular category. We want to create a food experience, and who knows how this is going to evolve in the future.
When that Canal District market went away, it was the loss of something special. Now, I am excited for the opportunity to support local businesses and build a new tradition alongside other marketgoers at Market on Brussels.
This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Correspondent Sloane M. Perron.
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