Twenty-five years ago, the very first building of The Windmill rose in what was just a brush lot the week before. Conceived as a partnership between the commercial and agricultural economies of the region, it was built by a similar partnership between the growing Mennonite and the established “English” communities.
The idea was born in 1978 when Bill and Ruth Gunderman visited the Green Dragon market in Ephrata, Pa. along with their daughter, Pat and her husband Ron Nissen. They dreamed of bringing a market like that to Yates County. With grass roots support, by 1986 the farmers’ market that began as The Yates County Country Cooperative grew in popularity to the degree that it seemed their dream might be possible.
With the encouragement of Susie Stolzfus, a well-known quilter and pillar of the Mennonite community, a meeting was called to gauge the interest and assess the feasibility of the idea. More than 80 people came for that first meeting in February 1986, and their energy and commitment were ready to move forward. A steering committee was formed, the 26-acre lot in Milo between Penn Yan and Dundee was chosen. But, for all their enthusiasm and even with the successful model before, no bank could see the opportunity they saw.
Still, with individual backers and contributors, they managed to clear the land and raise those first buildings. (Look for the history display in Building 4 which includes a video of that barn raising.)
On Saturday, June 27, 1987, The Windmill opened with 64 vendors in two buildings and 25 vendors outdoors. The energy was electric and the news spread in all directions. The very next Saturday market happened to be July 4th, and traffic was backed up for five miles to the north and south on Route 14A with people eager to visit the new market. The Windmill’s future was assured that quickly, and what no banker could see being a success had quickly become the fastest growing commercial interest in the county.
The very next year, a third building and a produce shed were added, and with help from a New York State grant, sidewalks, concrete floors, and restrooms were added as improvements.
By 1995 another 7 ½ acres had to be purchased to expand parking. In 2004, the produce shed and hay auction barn were converted to still more permanent vendor space.
Bill Gunderman passed away in 2001, but Pat and Ron Nissen, along with many others, carried on for many years afterward with his dedication to the market.
Twenty-five years ago, the very first building of The Windmill rose in what was just a brush lot the week before. Conceived as a partnership between the commercial and agricultural economies of the region, it was built by a similar partnership between the growing Mennonite and the established “English” communities.
The idea was born in 1978 when Bill and Ruth Gunderman visited the Green Dragon market in Ephrata, Pa. along with their daughter, Pat and her husband Ron Nissen. They dreamed of bringing a market like that to Yates County. With grass roots support, by 1986 the farmers’ market that began as The Yates County Country Cooperative grew in popularity to the degree that it seemed their dream might be possible.
With the encouragement of Susie Stolzfus, a well-known quilter and pillar of the Mennonite community, a meeting was called to gauge the interest and assess the feasibility of the idea. More than 80 people came for that first meeting in February 1986, and their energy and commitment were ready to move forward. A steering committee was formed, the 26-acre lot in Milo between Penn Yan and Dundee was chosen. But, for all their enthusiasm and even with the successful model before, no bank could see the opportunity they saw.
Still, with individual backers and contributors, they managed to clear the land and raise those first buildings. (Look for the history display in Building 4 which includes a video of that barn raising.)
On Saturday, June 27, 1987, The Windmill opened with 64 vendors in two buildings and 25 vendors outdoors. The energy was electric and the news spread in all directions. The very next Saturday market happened to be July 4th, and traffic was backed up for five miles to the north and south on Route 14A with people eager to visit the new market. The Windmill’s future was assured that quickly, and what no banker could see being a success had quickly become the fastest growing commercial interest in the county.
The very next year, a third building and a produce shed were added, and with help from a New York State grant, sidewalks, concrete floors, and restrooms were added as improvements.
By 1995 another 7 ½ acres had to be purchased to expand parking. In 2004, the produce shed and hay auction barn were converted to still more permanent vendor space.
Bill Gunderman passed away in 2001, but Pat and Ron Nissen, along with many others, carried on for many years afterward with his dedication to the market.
Before he passed, Bill said, “Hundreds have given their talents unselfishly, and the credit for the success belongs to all of them. The Windmill crew did not invent marketing, nor did they reinvent it; instead, they took most of the good features of other markets and molded them into ‘The Windmill concept.’”
Today, The Windmill is approaching 200 vendors and attracts an average of 8,000-10,000 customers and visitors to Yates County every Saturday. The current manager, Lauren Welch, is looking forward to his sixth season at the wheel. He describes the business philosophy for the market as “Making what we’ve got the best we can.”
To celebrate the 25 years of that success, Welch is giving away two $25 gift certificates every market day that can be used at any of the almost 200 Windmill vendors.
New Vendors
Eight new vendors are joining The Windmill cooperative at the beginning of this season, and they are as varied as the rest.
• Shtayburne Farm – homemade cheeses by Lorin Hostetler in Building 4
• Dean Spoor Trophies – trophies and awards custom made in Building 2
• Colleen Ney Theraputic Massage – chair massage and inversion table therapy in Building 4
• Bristol Hills Laser Engraving – by Russell Gardner in Building 2
• Casa Larga Vineyards – wine tasting and sales in Building 4
• Joey and Me Handbags – handmade purses and bags by Kerry Meyer in North St. Shops
• Fabric Maven – reverse decoupage on plates by Ceil Hoffer in Building 2
• ViSalus Sciences – distributor Darcie Velez offers a 90-day diet/fitness challenge in the Open Air Market.
