By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — A taste of early-season produce, farm-raised oysters and baked goods were among the options Wednesday, during opening day of the 2024 Hops & Crops Market.

The vendor event, which will run 3-6 p.m. each Wednesday through Sept. 25 at Revelation Craft Brewing Co. on South Bedford Street, is presented by the brewery and the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.

Hops & Crops is a new twist to the former Georgetown Farmers’ Market.

“That’s why we changed the name, because the connotation for ‘farmers market’ for Georgetown really hasn’t done very well,” said chamber president/CEO Linda Price. “Since it was all fresh and new, we wanted to come up with a different name. So, that’s why we came up with Hops & Crops.”

Mark Pena, owner of the mobile DelMarVa Popcorn Co., was among the opening day vendors.

“We make great kettle corn,” he said. “And we make Revelation’s popcorn.”

The Salty Witch Oyster Co. was selling oysters raised in the Rehoboth Bay, via a farming program with the University of Delaware and Delaware Sea Grant.

“We’re hoping that, eventually, (Sea Grant) will be able to supply the local growers in Rehoboth Bay,” said Salty Witch’s owner Carol Friend. “We’re fighting with Chincoteague, (Virginia,) because everybody loves Chincoteague oysters. But these are just as salty as a Chincoteague, if not more.”

The Hops & Crops stand for Sassafras Farmstead, which is based on Del. 404 in Georgetown, included fresh radishes, salad mixes, free-range eggs and frozen chicken hearts and livers for dog treats.

“We will be here all season long,” said Justin Quad, who co-owns the business with his wife, Kiernan Quad. “This one happens to be really close to the farmstead, so it worked out well.”

Business was also brisk at the booth for Selah Bakery, which offered sourdough products, plus cookies, scones, truffles, muffins and rolls, some allergen-friendly, gluten-free and/or sugar-free.

“We’re a cottage food bakery, which means certified through the state. They do inspections. So, everything is cooked at a home premise, (in) a kitchen,” said the establishment’s Emilee Fellenbaum.

An hour into the market, a good deal of Selah’s goods was claimed.

“This is my first market ever,” Ms. Fellenbaum said. “We’re doing good. Our table was full, and our (back stock) is gone.”

The bakery plans to be at the market every other week. “We’ll take a break in July and August because it’s just too hot to bake,” Ms. Fellenbaum said.

Ms. Price said expectations are to have seafood/oysters, baked goods, local produce and other goods, with about 10 vendors weekly at first.

“We still have a couple that have asked for applications after we closed the date. We do allow for drop-ins,” Ms. Price said. “Hopefully, as it grows, we’ll have a more consistent 12 to 15 (vendors).”

She added that the Revelation property offers ample parking, as well as its own refreshments.

“And Revelation is open, so people can eat, maybe have a beer, visit with the vendors,” Ms. Price said. “Hopefully, everybody will have a nice time.”