Fall market season is my favorite kind of shopping. You meet the person who made the candle, try on the earrings in actual daylight and leave with a loaf of bread you did not know you needed.
Westchester has everything from polished craft shows to farm markets and neighborhood fleas. Dates and vendor lists can change, so use this as your plan, then confirm details with the organizer before heading out.
Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst, Tarrytown
The Lyndhurst show is the grand dame: a juried collection of makers on one of the prettiest historic properties in the county. Go when you want ceramics, jewelry, wearable art, home pieces and gifts that do not look like they came from the emergency-present drawer.
My strategy: Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes and photograph the maker’s card with any piece you are considering. Large events create immediate amnesia.
Muscoot Farm Farmers Market, Katonah
Muscoot gives you local food, a farm setting and an easy Sunday outing. It is ideal for the shopper who wants produce and baked goods but will happily be distracted by honey, flowers or a handmade extra.
My strategy: Bring a cooler bag and small bills, even if most vendors take cards. Farm schedules and vendor attendance can vary with weather.
Herb Fair & Market, Katonah
The New York Unit of the Herb Society of America hosts a market that appeals to cooks, gardeners and anyone who believes one more beautiful plant will finally complete the patio. Expect an event with more personality than a standard plant sale.
My strategy: Make a list of your sun and shade conditions before buying. Optimism is not a light requirement.
Yonkers fall flea and neighborhood markets
Smaller fleas can be the best treasure hunts: vintage finds, community vendors and prices that still allow for an impulsive purchase. The Yonkers Historical Society and local organizations publish seasonal dates and location details.
My strategy: Measure the empty wall or table before you leave home. “It looked smaller outside” is how furniture begins living in a hallway.
Pop-ups from local curators
Westchester’s independent organizers rotate through Scarsdale, White Plains and other towns with fashion, accessories, food and small brands. Follow the organizers and venues directly for announcements, because these events often appear faster than the annual guides.
How to be a good market shopper
Bring a tote. Ask before photographing a booth. If you love something, learn the maker’s name and follow the business. Do not ask a ceramic artist to match a big-box price. Handmade work costs what handmade work costs.
And if you are shopping for the holidays, start a note in your phone with what you bought and where you hid it. December Stacy would like September Stacy to be less mysterious.
