Community Spotlight: Suzi Greenway puts Open Air Market in gear

Suzi Greenway reminisced with a grin. “We moved three times in as many years, which set us back, but now we are solid on the square, now going into our eighth year.” She said moving to the Township Square “made the OAM more noticeable and allowed the market to have room for more vendors, events and music.”

Article by Agnes Geiger, photos by Patrice Johnson

It all began with an email back in 2010. Wendy Wood and Jo Mayer wanted a farmers market, Suzi Greenway explained. Wood had sent Greenway an email saying, “you are going to do it.”

That started the ball rolling. Greenway brought her positive attitude, led a small team to start and the Open Air Market of Stockbridge was born.

“I attended a Farmers Market Boot Camp at MSU and learned the basics,” Greenway said. “We put together a general vendor base, and five of the originals are still with the market.” 

At first, she kept the market small, so it could be easily managed.

“Wade Pregitzer told me at the very beginning, ‘Be careful how big you make it. If you get too many vendors, no one will make any money and they will leave.’ Because of his wise words, I have purposely kept the market this size, so that the vendors are happy,” she said.

Molly Howlett, a fan who rarely misses a market, said, “Suzi has created a family with the vendors of the Open Market.”

Greenway reminisced with a grin. “We moved three times in as many years, which set us back, but we are solid on the square, now going into our eighth year.” She said moving to the Township Square “made the OAM more noticeable and allowed the market to have room for more vendors, events and music.”

Suzi Greenway brought her positive attitude, led a small team to start, and the Open Air Market of Stockbridge was born.

Jo Mayer, board member of the Open Air Market of Stockbridge, credited Greenway for the market’s success. “Suzi is absolutely perfect as a market manager,” Mayer said. “She is open to new ideas, she’s able to enforce rules and maintain order without angering anyone, and she just beams while the market is going on. Suzi is its biggest fan and supporter. We couldn’t do it without her.

Greenway was quick to thank others, saying, “We are grateful for the assistance we have received from Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition/5 Healthy Towns, Stockbridge Township, SAESA, the village of Stockbridge and Stockbridge Downtown Development.” 

After the launch, Greenway returned to market manager classes and became a certified market manager in 2013.

During the past seven years, the Open Air Market of Stockbridge has grown into a community event held every Friday from May through October. This year’s market opens May 7, and new vendors are Steffey Farm Cheese and Shoreline Alaska Salmon.

“Our vendors also have evolved as we see the needs of our market patrons,” Greenway explained.

On any given Friday during the season, patrons can mingle with friends and neighbors and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, honey and eggs, pretzels, breads and baked goods, chocolates and goodies. Other items include baskets, wood items, artwork, embroidery, soaps, oil sprays and more.

“I absolutely believe our increase in patrons in 2017 came from our advertising with the Stockbridge Community News in the printed editions and the website banner ads,” Greenway said. “What a great addition to our community!”

When not working, Greenway will most likely be found riding her motorcycle. The highlight of her life, she said, is being the president of the International Norton Owners Association for almost 20 years.

Greenway, who grew up in the Birmingham and Waterford, Mich., areas, hadn’t planned to become the manager of a farmers market. The Waterford High School graduate went to chef school and learned black and white photography. She worked as a housekeeper for a local judge for 20 years.

When not working, Greenway will most likely be found riding her motorcycle. The highlight of her life, she said, is being the president of the International Norton Owners Association for almost 20 years.

“It is a British motorcycle that stopped production in 1976 and is a bit of a cult classic,” she explained. “I have traveled America and the world riding Nortons and promoting the club. My personal Norton is a 1972 Interstate Commando, and I have put over 80,000 miles on my beloved.”

When not working, Greenway will most likely be found riding her motorcycle. The highlight of her life, she said, is being the president of the International Norton Owners Association for almost 20 years.

Greenway moved to Stockbridge in 1974 after four years in England. She praised both the people and the roads in the area.   

“As a motorcyclist, we have great roads to ride,” she said, “which is a good reason the motorcycle events I host are so successful.”

But this busy motorcyclist describes her biggest interest as the welfare of her friends, the driving force in her life.

“They have been there for me throughout life experiences and allowed me to be me,” she said. “In return, I hope I have returned the exceptional compliment.”     

While she has faced several health issues and life-altering events, Greenway made “a defined choice to be happy.”

“It is a decision I make every day even when difficulties or losses happen,” she said. “I wake up every day saying I love my life.”