What’s not to love about Artisan Exchange? The indoor, year-round market, held at 208 Carter Drive in West Chester every Saturday morning from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., boasts over 35 local farmers and manufacturers who offer up an amazing array of goods that epitomize the local, small business movement.
With fresh produce, eggs, bread, cheese, meats, coffee, baked goods, pastas and sauces, spices, oils, wine, home & bath products and treats for your canine companion—all locally produced and in one place—the market is a one-stop shopper’s dream come true. Artisan Exchange also has crafts for the kids and live music to enhance your Saturday morning shopping experience.
Read on for the delicious details on seven of our favorite vendors you’ll find at the market. Who’s your pick? Tell us in the comments!
Mompops
Philadelphia’s first vegan ice-pop company, Mompops keeps it simple with whole fruits and fresh-as-can be ingredients. Each dairy-, gluten-, soy- and nut-free pop is made by hand at the production facility in West Chester. No extra sugar, no chemicals, no artificial flavors—just 100% pure deliciousness. Flavors vary weekly; look for our personal favorites, Strawberry Lemonade and Mango! Read more about the people behind the pops in this article from the Downingtown Dish archives.
Waffatopia
Is there anything more delightful than the smell of a fresh-baked Belgian waffle? If you’re like us and don’t want to mess around with batter and the mess of cooking up a batch, hit up Waffatopia at Artisan Exchange. Waffles are made from scratch in the Waffatopia kitchen with natural, yeast-fermented dough using no chemical leaveners. Even better, the waffles’ sweet, caramelized flavor will have you skipping the syrup (and all the calories that come with it).
MacDougall’s Irish Victory Cakes
You can’t deny the history behind MacDougall’s: the current bakers are descended from a gold medal-winning Northern Irishman who baked for English, Irish and Scottish royalty. Great-grandfather left Ireland for the American dream, and now his descendants are carrying on the family tradition of creating rich, buttery cakes infused with chocolate, butterscotch, walnuts—and whiskey. Treat yourself to a little something sweet.
Taste Artisanal Market
With a variety of hand-crafted spreads, tapenades, cheese accompaniments, locally infused honeys, fresh baked crackers and a specially curated selection of fresh olives and farmhouse and artisanal cheeses, Taste Artisanal Market is our go-to when we feel like nibbling, dipping and drizzling our way through lunch or dinner. The products are perfect for entertaining, or choose a jar and keep it all to yourself (we won’t tell if you eat it all). Be sure to ask about their party platters, too!
Golden Valley Farms
Get your weekend caffeine buzz, and be sure to bring home a bag or two for the rest of the week, at the Golden Valley Farms Coffee Roasters Stand. All coffees are USDA Organic certified, are artisan roasted in small batches and can be traced from farm to cup. Bird-friendly and fair trade beans are also available. Tea-totallers, you’re in luck, too. Golden Valley Farms also has a variety of organic teas. Our recommendation: Moroccan Mint.
Rawsome Fudge
In a word, Rawsome is Awesome! Rawsome’s chocolate fudge is lovingly handmade with all organic ingredients. Raw and 100% vegan, the fudge contains no refined sugar, dairy, gluten or GMOs. The brainchild of two certified holistic health coaches, Rawsome fudge unleashes the power of raw cacao and raw coconut nectar to create a guilt-free treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth but won’t leave you suffering from a sugar crash later on.
Sweet Salvation Truffles
We’re literally kids in a candy store when we stop at the Sweet Salvation table at Artisan Exchange! The irresistible, melt-in-your mouth truffles, toffee and chocolate bars somehow always manage to find their way into our bags. Can you blame us? With flavors ranging from coconut and orange to vanilla cream and raspberry, Sweet Salvation’s decadent morsels allow us to treat ourselves when we’re feeling sad, happy or anything in between. Such is the power of chocolate!
Photo Credits: Mompops, Waffatopia, Taste Artisanal Market, Rawsome Fudge, Sweet Salvation Truffles.
