Longstanding winter market grows into a year‑round community hub
A Fort Collins farmers market that began as a seasonal winter event has rebranded and will now operate year‑round from inside Foothills Mall at 215 E. Foothills Parkway, mall officials and market organizers announced this week.
The newly named Wildcraft Farmers Market will hold markets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from May through October and will switch to a weekly Saturday schedule — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday — from November through April. Mall public relations staff confirmed the seasonal pattern will continue into 2027.
"Wildcraft Farmers Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of each month from May through October. It will switch to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from November through April."
Where it came from and what the change means
The market began in 2006 as the Fort Collins Winter Farmers Market and traditionally operated from fall to early spring. It previously set up in the downtown Opera Galleria for years before moving to Foothills Mall in November 2020. According to the market's website and mall communications, the name change to Wildcraft and the extension into summer months reflect a shift away from the market’s original seasonal identity.
For shoppers and vendors, the new schedule offers expanded opportunities. Local growers and producers who previously limited sales to the cooler months can now reach customers throughout the year, and shoppers will have regular weekend access to local food and artisan goods during the winter months when many other markets wind down.
What to expect at Wildcraft
- Seasonal produce and locally grown microgreens
- Baked goods, specialty foods, and Northern Colorado meats, eggs and dairy
- Artisan goods, floral arrangements and nonfood items such as crystals
Booths line both sides of the mall's main entrance off East Foothills Parkway and continue into the mall’s core, allowing for an indoor shopping experience that is less vulnerable to Colorado winter weather.
| Season | Schedule |
|---|---|
| May–October | Second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. |
| November–April | Every Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. |
Vendors and community impact
Vendor applications were still open for the fall and winter season as of Aug. 10, indicating an ongoing effort to broaden the market’s offerings. The market’s website lists a mix of food producers and artisans, including those selling baked goods, prepared specialty foods and floral arrangements, alongside small-scale livestock products from Northern Colorado.
Year‑round markets can help stabilize income for small producers and artisan businesses by providing consistent access to customers. For Fort Collins residents, the indoor location at Foothills Mall offers a predictable, weather‑protected place to buy local food and goods through the colder months.
The move also has implications for the mall. Hosting a regular, indoor market can drive foot traffic into retail spaces and support the mall’s broader effort to repurpose and diversify its offerings in a changing retail environment. Mall representatives said in an Aug. 10 news release that the market’s booths occupy the entrance corridor and core of the center.
Looking ahead
Organizers plan to maintain the alternating monthly-to-weekly schedule into next year. Those interested in attending or applying to vend can find updated information, including booth availability and vendor requirements, on the market’s website and through Foothills Mall communications.
As the Wildcraft Farmers Market settles into its new identity and expanded calendar, Fort Collins residents will have greater year‑round access to local producers and artisans — a change that may reshape weekend routines for shoppers and provide more consistent sales opportunities for vendors who have relied on seasonal markets for nearly two decades.
