Nicole Package may be small in size, but she does a big job!
She began as a vendor, moved on to the RSM board, and now is doing much important work behind the scenes.
As a part of her new position, she directs market business, coordinates events and entertainment and is responsible for the overall running of the market.
Chelsea Johansen has been an RSM vendor for 4 years, and has been an active volunteer for just as long!
She now plays the vital role of Market Coordinator, organizing vendor related affairs and managing vendor communication.
Edyk Wilmot is the man taking care of all the details during the operation of the market on Saturday. I'm sure you're all familiar with Edyk, as he's been an important part of the market for years
Martha Tyler, a familiar face to most of you! Martha has been an RSM vendor for over twenty years, and was the Market Manager 2009 thru 2011. She's now volunteering her time to manage our community and charity booths, along with a zillion other details!
The market is governed by an elected board of trustees consisting of:
President        Peter Godwin
Vice President Martha Tyler
Treasurer       Sharon Goodman
Secretary       Paula Gibbons
Trustee          Darlene Ulsh
Trustee          Rick MacDonald
Trustee          Gil McNabb
Trustee          Jane Rabay
Trustee          Kathy Curington
Trustee          Krista Jefferson
The market dates back to 1976, when Master Gardener, Georgia Erskine, founded the market. Her dream was to start an open-air market in her neighborhood, so she recruited friends and formed a board of directors. At that time, they leased vacant land in downtown Redmond, just North of the old post office, for $1.00 a year. When that parcel of land was sold, the market moved to a new plot of ground on the corner of NE 85th and 64th NE. Volunteers cleared the brush, leveled the land and spread the word. They were at this location from 1979 through 1982. When the market opened in 1983, it had relocated once again on the corner of 161st Ave NE and NE 87th St. We were at this location for two years. In 1986 the market moved to its present location at 7730 Leary Way NE.
The current structures were built specifically for our market. We now lease approximately 8000
square feet of land from Redmond Town Center. As development of the shopping center was underway,
the City of Redmond approved an ordinance that our market site, as well as the Justice White House,
be preserved as community and historic significance.
Today we have 130 members. We continue to be run by a board of directors, all of whom are vendors
who volunteer their time.
Although Redmond continues to grow and change, our market remains unique in that it is able to offer a gathering place
for local farmers and artisans to provide quality products to our customers. Not only can one shop,
but you can actually visit with each vendor face to face.
For more information, please contact Nicole Package, our Market Director, at (425) 556-0636.