Shop and Stay

Fresh Butcher Cafe Deli offering tastes of their sausages

Used to be that going to the farmers market was a Saturday occurrence  But now you can find one somewhere in the Greater Cleveland area any day of the week.  The Tremont Farmers' Market happens every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. in Lincoln Park. Like their counterparts in other communities, the gathering features local growers and producers selling all kinds of good things to eat — eggs, meats, jams, granola, pies and bread, cheese and fresh fruits and vegetables that increase in variety and abundance as the summer season progresses.

  This market makes it appealing to hang around after your shopping is done. There's music, chef demos, chair massage, yoga on the grass and  — when I was there a couple of weeks ago  —  a contingent of skilled and wannabe hula hoopers working on their moves. Food trucks set up shop and there are some picnic tables for sit down eating. I had a fantastic blue-crab salad from Zydeco Bistro (more on this one and the chef who keeps it rolling next month) and watched hot little pies with the crust bubbled and the cheese browned come out of a wood-burning oven hauled in by Scott's Fire & Ice.

In fact, there's a good reason to spend the entire afternoon or evening in the neighborhood. Numerous area businesses roll out the red carpet, in the form of deals and discounts, every Tuesday. Specials  include price breaks on manicures, pedicures, and cuts at Addictions Salon and Spa, Cappy Hour at Civilization coffee shop, taco and beer specials at Lincoln Park Pub, a $5 pour at Press Wine Bar, $5 cheeseburger and fries at Prosperity Social Club, and $1 off all specialty sundaes at Tremont Scoops. See the complete list on the market's website.

This is a great example cross-promotion and entrepreneurial solidarity. And of course the real winners are us — every Tuesday.