Shoppers get special treatment at the Neerlandia Market

NEERLANDIA – There is an exciting and different approach to the Neerlandia Market, where shoppers enjoy the cozy atmosphere.

Shoppers make their way around the Mellowdale Hall and pick from products to fill their baskets and complete one checkout when they are ready to leave, rather than pay at each stall when they purchase an item. 

“Some ladies have shopped for two to four hours at our market and have gotten all of their Christmas shopping done,” said Lucille Terpsma, one of the five organizers.

Terpsma had brought this unique approach to markets to Neerlandia seven years ago.

“We have a wonderful team of ladies,” stated Terpsma. “We love it.”

The team of these hard-working ladies include Lucille Terpsma, Sharon VanAssen, Marilyn Kolla, Cora Peters and Lorraine Hooimeyer.

It is not just a market; it is an event.

Mouth-watering baked treats are waiting for shoppers from Dutch Delicious, offered by Siebe Koopman in the Sharon VanAssen-sponsored Coffee nook.

The 76 vendors are selected by the organizers for their unique high-quality handmade products with vendors varying from year to year.

“Vendors work with the space given and the organizers make it cozy,” shared Terpsma.

“The biggest comment we have received is that people love the atmosphere.”

The market runs from Nov. 13 to Nov 16 and from Nov 20 to Nov 23, from 10 am to 6 pm.

For Thursday evening shoppers, guitar players will provide music while folks shop.

Saturday, there will be a wood carver stationed outside to show their artistry.

Vendors mark their products with price tags with their initials and they are paid after the market ends.

The Neerlandia Market has been at the Mellowdale Hall for the past five years and was at the Neerlandia Co-op for two years before that.