A Local Experience: The Farmer's Market

{Photo by Taylor Hudson}

When the normal "grocery store" experience becomes too boring or monotonous for you, try heading to the local Harrisonburg Farmer's Market. You get quality food and a unique shopping experience, you can't go wrong!

Staycation Ratings:

Food: ★★★★★  (Local, fresh, and healthy.)

Price: ★★★☆☆ (A lot of food for a resonable price. However, some vendors can be a bit pricey.)

Uniqueness: ★★★★☆ (Not much different from other farmer's markets, but a great alternative to a grocery store)

Comfort: ★★★☆☆ (The vendors take great interest in their customers, but very busy place)

Overall Experience: ★★★☆☆ (You have to walk around a few times to get the hang of the layout).

What?

{Photo by Taylor Hudson}

Wal-Mart, Martin's and Food Lion just can't live up to the personal and local atmosphere of the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market houses anywhere from 15 to 20 booths, where local vendors set up to sell their products. You an buy everything from quilts, to beeswax lotion, to homemade candles. However, the star of the show truly is the local food options. Local farmers and small businesses love to set up shop in order to promote their unique products. Many of the vendors offer local produce and vegetables, such as organic grown spinach or hand-picker apples. But there is also hand-made cheese, personalized cakes, organic beef, original recipe hot-sauces and organic coffee beans. If you get hungry while walking around, don't fret! The Farmer's Market also offers warm meals such as chicken BBQ or breakfast sandwiches to fill your tummy as you peruse the pavilion.

Why?

Why is the Farmer's Market worthy of your stay-cation experience? For the simple fact that grocery shopping becomes fun. Not only do you get to meet the people that grow your food, you get to bond with people. Conversations are not lacking, and people are always in a good mood, which is surprising for an early morning outing.

Who?

Here is a sample of some of the yummy food vendors that grace the Farmer's Market on a regular basis. However, there are many more, so visit their website to see the full list.

• A Peace of the Earth
• Avalon Acres
• Charis Eco-Farm
• Clover Blossom Farm
• Donuts and More
• Elk Run Farm
• Fine Flours Bakery
• Green Haven Farm Cheeses
• Joe's Sausage

When?

The Farmer's Market usually runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. However, the hours change in between Thanksgiving and April, it only occurs on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon (excluding Christmas and New Years).

Where?

The Farmer's Market is located on the edge of Downtown Harrisonburg on South Liberty Street. It is housed in it's own pavilion and offers its own parking lot. If you need a map or directions, visit their website.

My Experience?

My roommate and I visit the Farmer's Market every few weeks, so our trip was not a new experience. However, I clearly remember my first trip being a bit overwhelming. There are so many vendors and a lot of people, so I had to walk around a few times to scan the products and get my bearings straight. But, once you get the hang of it and pinpoint your favorite vendors, the experience becomes much less chaotic and more of a routine.

{Photo by Taylor Hudson}

I have a few favorite vendors. One is the organic grown coffee by Grains of Sense. Their coffee comes directly from coffee farms in different countries; I'm partial to the Guatemalan roast. It's robust and strong, just how I like my coffee

A second favorite is the home-harvested honey from Pure & Simple Farm. They have three types of honey: light, medium and dark. The darker the sweeter, and I absolutely love the medium honey in my daily cup of tea.

And lastly, I love the raspberries from Jerry's Berries. Although berry is over, I couldn't buy any on my excursion on December 1st, but once spring rolls around again, I plan on stocking up on those juicy, fresh raspberries.

I wish that the market could some how plan out vendor location and provide customers with a map. It would make for much less confusion for first time attendees. Most of the vendors of friendly, but some vendors don't talk much due to the fact that they are very busy.

But, overall, I love the food too much to avoid the hustle and bustle.

International Comfort: Earth and Tea Cafe

{Photo courtesy of Earth and Tea Cafe}

Earth and Tea Cafe offers a unique experience: dozens of tea options in the comfort of an authentic Indian-inspired atmosphere.

Staycation Ratings:
Food: ★★★★☆ (Unique teas, but small food menu)
Price: ★★★★★ (Really cheap!)
Uniqueness: ★★★★★ (Not many authentic international restaurants around Harrisonburg.)
Comfort: ★★★★★ (Cozy atmosphere with a Moroccan flare)
Overall Experience: ★★★★☆ (Service can be a little slow)


What?

{Photo by Taylor Hudson}

The Earth and Tea is the only restaurant of its kind in Harrisonburg. It offers an extensive tea menu, as well as small-portioned meals, that give Harrisonburg dining an international Moroccan flare. The tea menu offers everything from light teas, such as rooibos, or heavy teas, such as their Masala Chai. All of the teas are homemade and natural. Each tea is around $3.00 for a small pot, for $5.00 for large if you feel like sharing with a friend. You can sit at table, or relax in one of the many vintage-styled couches that line the walls.

Why? 

Why is this restaurant worthy of your stay-cation? It is one of the few places in Harrisonburg that offer an authentic international experience. Harrisonburg is a diverse area, so you mine as well learn about the cultures you are immersed in everyday.


Who?

If you are a student, this is the perfect place to bring your books and study. Forget about Carrier Library; go to Earth and Tea and relax with a huge pot of tea. But, if you are family, don't hesitate either. They offer many kid friendly options, such as decaf tea, smoothies, and hot chocolate. And, for the parents, they have a beer and wine menu.


When?

Earth and Tea Cafe is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. every Monday through Saturday, and it is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. However, it's menu is primarily breakfast and lunch, so plan to go to Earth and Tea Cafe if you are looking for a hefty dinner.


Where?

If you are interested in trying Earth and Tea Cafe, just head to Downtown Harrionsburg. It is located right on South Main Street, next to Cat's Cradle.

My Experience?

{Photo by Taylor Hudson}

I am a huge tea drinker; so imagine my excitement when I opened up the menu. There are over thirty different tea options, and almost all of them are loose-leaf tea. They are brewed on the spot, and given to you in your own personal tea pot; you can the tea pour into your cup as you please.

I tried the Masala Chai. This tea is a bit more expensive than the rest; $4.00 for a small pot. But, it was worth it. The tea is thick and creamy, and has just the right amount of spice for a chai tea. My friend, who tagged along with me on this excursion, decided to purchase a Rooibos Vanilla Cream, and that was equally as tasty. It's light with a small hint of vanilla, which gives it an extra flare compared to most Rooibos teas.

I also decided to try one of the food options, and decided upon the Monte Cristo Sandwich. In short, it's a ham, turkey and swiss sandwich battered in an egg and milk mixture and deep-fried. Anything fried is delicious, but this sandwich didn't even taste like it was friend; which is a good thing! It was so lightly battered and fried that it was still soft (like a sandwich should be), but warm with a little bit of crunch. I'm not a fan of heavily fried foods, so that was a pleasant surprise.

My only critique is the service. Our waiter was kind and polite, but the restaurant was a little understaffed. There were only two employees there, and with about half of the restaurant full, it was hard for them to attend to everyone well.

Local and Cozy Breakfast: The Little Grill Collective

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

Are you looking to eat a home-cooked meal at an affordable price? Look no further than the Little Grill Collective.

Staycation Ratings:

Food: ★★★★★ (Homemade and delicious)

Price: ★★★★★ (Really cheap!)

Uniqueness: ★★★☆☆ (Many breakfast options around town, but they get creative with pancake recipes!)

Comfort: ★★★★★ (Cozy atmosphere)

Overall Experience: ★★★★☆ (Great service, but I wish I could have paid with debit or credit card)

What?

The Little Grill Collective is no ordinary restuarant. Since the 1940's, the Little Grill has been reincarnated into a local music scene, a soup kitchen, and a grocery store. Today, it is a full service restuarant that boasts local, healthy, and home-cooked meals. Prices are cheap; almost every item on the menu is under 10 dollars. They have a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, but they are most well-known for their breakfast.


Why?

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

Why is this restuarant worthy of your staycation? Well, the point of a vacation is to relax, right? You will not lack any relaxation here. The service is welcoming, and the atmosphere is extremely informal. Even if you have never visited before, the combination of mismatched furniture, random wall decorations, and home-style food will make you feel as if you are a regular customer.



Who?

{Photo courtesy of the Little Grill Collective}

As far as employees, every single worker essentailly "owns" the restaurant; hence, the "collective" part of the restaurant's name. Similar to a democracy, each employee has the potential to operate the restaurant as an owner, and therefore, each employee is dedicated to their job. Service is great!

As far as customers, there is something for everyone. If you are over 21, they serve alcohol focused on local brewers. If you need to entertain kids, there is a cheap kids menu.


When?

The restaurant is open every day of the week except Mondays. But, word of advice: check the hours before traveling because they are a little inconsistent. Visit their website here to see their hours of operation.

Also, if you are looking to add a little extra flare your staycation, they host local bands, open mic nights and speciality food nights. They have an entire list of events on their website


Where?

The Little Grill Collective is located in Downtown Harrisonburg, right across from Our Community Place. It is about a fifteen minute walk from JMU's campus. Their address is 621 North Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.


My Experience?

I had never been to the Little Grill Collective before. But, I have heard through many of my friends that it was delicious. I have been searching for a good breakfast place, other than iHop, and this restaurant is famous for it's monthly pancake special.

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

I tried their pancake special for this month: Spiced Chai Pancakes. And, personally, I thought they were delicious. If you like cinnamon, these pancakes are definite must. Also, I ordered a side of "hot" fried potatoes at our waitress' suggestion. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were Old Bay potatoes, and since I am an avid Old Bay fan, I ate the entire thing.

{Photo taken by Taylor Hudson}

But fair warning to all: the Little Grill Collective does not take credit or debit cards. You can only pay via cash or check. I was unprepared, and had to have my friend help me out when it came time to pay. Also, because the restaurant is so small, the wait can get pretty long. I only had two people in my party, so the wait was only about 15 minutes. But be prepared to wait if you have a large party.