Meet Me at the Market The Horton Market is now in full swing, and every Saturday from 8 am to noon, 10 Manitoba Street becomes the heart of local flavour and flair. You’ll find farm-fresh produce, handmade goods, and small-batch treats from passionate vendors from across the community. Bonus — on the first Saturday of each month, you can even get your knives sharpened! Let’s meet two of the friendly faces bringing their unique offerings to the market. Palmer’s Maple Syrup Brian Palmer is the third generation in a family rooted in the maple syrup business, though with his sons Cole and Christopher now involved, they’re officially into the fourth. Alongside his wife Laura, Brian runs Palmer’s Maple Syrup, a staple at the Horton Market for decades. “We started back in ’55,” Brian says.
Paterson Woodcrafts Adam Paterson of Paterson Woodcrafts discovered his love for woodworking in high school, but it was moving to St. Thomas that truly sparked his creative journey. “When I bought my house, it had a shop in it,” he says. “That’s when I started experimenting with different woods and techniques. I just love transforming raw wood into something beautiful.” Adam creates a wide range of handmade pieces, including keepsake boxes, charcuterie boards, lazy Susans, tealight holders, and even wooden whistles. “Each piece is unique,” he explains. “I mostly use Canadian woods — maple, walnut, cherry, but I also like to incorporate reclaimed wood and exotic accents when I can.” Paterson Woodcrafts is a newer presence at the Horton Market, but Adam is no stranger to the atmosphere. “I’ve always loved attending. The focus on local and handmade items really spoke to me,” he says. “This market feels like home; it’s the perfect place to showcase my work and meet people who care about community.” His most popular pieces so far?
Palmer’s syrup is made from 6,000 taps and is sold exclusively from their own production. “I strive for the best syrup around,” Brian explains. “It’s a passion, not a job.” You can taste that passion in every drop of his amber and dark maple
Keepsake boxes and cutting boards. But every item on his table is made with the same care and attention that makes Paterson Woodcrafts a must- visit at the market.
syrup, which comes in a range of sizes and containers — plastic, tin, glass, even fancy gift bottles. He also offers maple tea and sweet maple candies. Brian’s connection to the market runs deep. “My grandfather went, my dad took me 50 years ago, and now I’m here,” he says. “Saturday mornings at the Horton Market have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.”
Page 10 Hometown St. Thomas • June 2025
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