Located on 8th and Oak in downtown Eugene, the Saturday Market is a fast growing community. With countless vendors stationed with products ranging from handcrafted goods to local produce, such a place is keenly unique to Eugene. The square, founded originally by Lottie Streisinger as the Eugene Craft Guild, was primarily a source for uniting locals to voice against the Vietnam War. Creating an event allowed community members to begin funding the phenomenon in 1969.
“All of this had begun in the Butterfly Court Parking Lot. There had been some who sold wares on blankets then,” Dana Bauman says, Eugene local and manager at Dana’s Cheesecake Bakery. Bauman explained that the beginnings were formed from a tight knit group
of individuals. “Oregon had gotten out of a terrible recession which forced workers in lumber mills to become unemployed. This ‘move out’ situation forced workers to search for new jobs, causing some to begin vending here.”
This welcoming bakery stand had begun nearly 40 years ago. In 1979, Bauman starting with no more than $100, a true definition of a small start-up business, served customers nothing more than tea and pastries. With consistent determination, Bauman and his wife became working volunteers and their volunteer work lead to the couple becoming vendors at the Oregon Country Fair three years later. Since then the number of vendors has risen to over 150.
Today, the bakery has its own designated spot in the International Food Court with a large staff. Offering both weekly and seasonal specials, Bauman brings an array of options for customers who come looking for dessert. It is no wonder that this stand overcame the financial troughs during Oregon’s recessions.
Neighbored to Dana’s Cheesecake Bakery is a more recent vendor; The Blazing Chef. Formerly known as Helen’s Roll-Ups, the small business has undergone many changes both on its signboard and menu. This primarily fish & chips based stand sustained its presence from the consistent work of Ms. Haven, the present day manager. Those looking for a hearty, pub-styled treat will surely find their braised guilty pleasures here.
Alternative products had not been a primary focus until recently. Sandwiches, root beer and the apple ginger juice helped start off the deli-like menu. With neighboring competition, the seemingly regular stand spent long hours in its early vending days making business. Longevity became the main topic of concern and the fewer customers stopped by the more the concern grew. In the hopes to bring in more customers, the name was changed to Rosie’s Roll-Ups. It was then when potato fries were introduced by Haven and helped bring some light back into the business.
After the owner handed down the business to Haven nearly two years later, experimentation was an emphasis. Balancing out her use of space efficiently and conceptualizing ingredients that could be bought fresh were recurring themes that challenged the business
into what we know of today. Introducing maize and mushroom salad assortments first, she then decided to add on her grandmother’s Minnesotan Fish & Chips recipe. This, brought major success. According to Haven, “people don’t know how to make proper fish and chips. The ‘double dipping’ method ensures crispy, golden flaked perfection onto the plate.” Shifting into seafood choices, the stand’s staple piece today and resembles the inheritance of her lifelong memories. Not only is Ms. Haven part of the year-long farmer’s market, but she also participates as a blowpipe artist at the Holiday Market. Glass ornaments and other crafts of hers are showcased and sold during this brief, festive period. In order to fully prepare, however she closes up The Blazing Chef around mid-August to focus on her artwork. The wide range of interests from well-rounded individuals help the growth of the Lane County Farmers’ Market. Vendors adjust their shops weekly and seasonally, highlighting a true sense of artisanal locality that is not normally seen.
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