The Phillippi Farmhouse Market is a weekly open-air market held every Wednesday morning at Phillippi Estate Park, a 60-acre natural area along Phillippi Creek in south Sarasota. With over 50 vendors, the market offers a wide mix of fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and plants, clothing, jewelry, artisan crafts, and more.
The market has been running since 2011, when it started with just 19 vendors. For years it was managed entirely by volunteers — making it the only all-volunteer market in the Sarasota area. It's now operated by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, and has grown into one of the area's staple weekly markets.
Compared to some of Sarasota's larger markets, the Phillippi Farmhouse Market has a noticeably relaxed and unhurried feel. The crowds are lighter, the aisles are easy to navigate, and the overall pace is calmer. If you've found the Downtown Farmers Market or Waterside Market at Lakewood Ranch a bit hectic, this one offers a welcome change of speed.
A few food trucks are typically on-site, though the food options are more limited than what you'll find at the bigger markets. This is a market that's best suited for picking up quality produce, baked goods, and artisan products to bring home rather than eating a full meal on-site.
Live music rounds out the atmosphere. A musician typically performs during the market, and because the layout is compact, the music carries throughout.