At the Farmers Market: Holiday Shopping

CalabasasPatch.com
12 December 2011

There is something this holiday season at the farmers market for foodies and fashionistas alike. 

Have you ever considered doing your holiday shopping at the Calabasas Farmers Market?

There is a world of possibilities from salt gift packs to vintage antique jewelry to pomegranate product sets. Read on and go through your holiday list quickly.

Photo courtesy of Hepp's Salt Bar

For foodies
Started by young entrepreneur Brian Hepp, the Hepp's Salt Bar salt bar carries about 20 varieties of all-natural salt from Hawaii to the Himalayas.

Craving for something spicy? There’s the ghost pepper salt. Looking for a garnishing salt? Try the Hiwa Kai from Hawaii, which makes a fine vegetable, fish or chicken topper.

With the upcoming holidays, gift packs are in demand and salt is no exception.

“We just fulfilled an order for 90 gift packs,” said employee Tyler Tanner.

Bring home any three miniature bottles of salt for $20 or upgrade to a five-pack for $30. Add $5 to include black truffle salt.

For a fruitier present, head to the Sky Lake Ranch stall. The Northern California-based business has quite the range of gift packs from combo packs to a sampler of their entire pomegranate product selection.

For $26, give the dessert gift pack with jellies and syrup to someone with a sweet tooth.

For the grill master on your list, give the combo pack gift box for $20, composed of a bottle each of the balsamic grill sauce and marinade.

“These also make great corporate giveaways,” said employee Karen Onifer.

Speaking of sweets, there is no shortage of baked goods at the farmers market.

Photo courtesy of Kringlela

If Danish pastries are your thing, head over to the Kringlela booth and say “hello” to the Naczinski family. Family patriarch Steve moved from Wisconsin to California 30 years ago and brought the family recipe with him.

Choose from pecan, raspberry, cream cheese and apple, with prices ranging from $9 to $11 each. Ask about seasonal flavors.

For something more traditional but equally tasty, try the baked goods from A Little Nosh. Cindy Daniels’ bakes bundt cakes, cupcakes, mini-loaves, ruggelah and mandelbrots.

Prices range from $6 to $30. Pre-orders are encouraged especially during the holidays.

Diagonally across from Daniels is Valerie Whalin’s Charmed Scones. The lifelong baker has over 50 varieties of scones but usually brings about 15 of the most popular flavors to Calabasas.

Choose from bittersweet chocolate chip, cinnamon bun, fresh lemon, oatmeal brown sugar and glazed candied ginger, among others. There are vegan and gluten-free versions as well. Prices start at $3

For fashionistas and floral fans
For something more lasting than all the sweet delights at the market, duck into the corner stall of Victoria’s Creations.

Featuring eye-catching, limited edition pieces by La Cañada-based jewelry-maker Victoria Duque, there is definitely something here for every fashionista on your list.

Duque specializes in vintage antique pieces but there are other lovely pieces in sterling silver, 14-karat gold, gold-filled and semi-precious stones. Prices range from $5 to $150.

For the home decorator, how about a gift of artificial flowers from The Stalk Market?

The newest vendor on the block just debuted last Saturday but brought an impressive array of artificial floral arrangements for the holidays as well as for year-round use.

Prices start at $30 for a simple arrangement, said owner and designer Mary Alabashyan. Custom and volume orders are available.

Throughout the holidays, Thursdays Spa in Calabasas will also be at the market with a limited product selection and gift cards for purchase.

Buy a gift card in any denomination for that special person you want to pamper.

The Calabasas Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at 23504 Calabasas Road, across the street from the Sagebrush Cantina.