Who says you can’t be a Happy Hoe? The Checotah Chamber of Commerce just had a ribbon cutting for The Happy Hoe Farm Market and the talk around town is there’s a hoe-lot of good things to eat or get a treat.

The Happy Hoe Farm Market is an indoor, year round market hub where the food is always fresh and the name is unforgettable. Located downtown at 135 S. Broadway in Checotah, the market is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 8 p.m.

At The Happy Hoe multiple vendors have local goods on site so there’s always something to please everyone at this two-story farmer’s market.

With a list of vendors always growing and changing, customers can find a variety of local products and produce to choose from or a unique gift for someone special.

Some local vendors include: Collin’s Cukes and Saucy Sue’s Shannon Mabry – Artist Cricket’s Creations and Catering Doughnamic Kitchen Creations Maple Syrup, Pampered Chef & Tupperware WanderBliss Creations Tasha’s Garden Lavender N’ Longhorns Whiterose’s C Piccadilly Bath and Body Timeless Gardens Candle Co Sugar Kane and Wild Roses S&L Backyard Boutique Krazy 8 Farmz Marshmallow Moments Lucky Penny Chocolate Delights Swamp Witch Oils & Co.

Rockin W Creations Co Artisan Armory Squealing Sow Country’s Custom Woodwork Lake Lady’s Goodies Red Ridge Creamery Ignite Health and Wellness The Nut Hut Blue’s Creative Woodworking “We love being able to showcase local vendors for local consumers,” market owner Miranda Casteel said. “Our hope is that people will like what they see and even start doing some gardening and canning for their family. After the pandemic I think people realized how unsafe some of our food is that’s grown elsewhere and that we have to start learning how to produce our own. So now you are seeing a lot of 20-30 year olds going back to the basics of learning how to garden, bake and can their own healthy foods because COVID was a big eye opener.

“I read in a recent article that on average your local grocery store in your hometown only has enough food for 2-3 days for your population. So what happens when they can’t get shipments in? It’s scary to think about.

“As a mom of three young children, ages 8, 7 and 5, I have to deal with multiple food allergies and spend so much time searching for food that they could even have. Some would say organic but then the store would spray it with chemicals to keep it longer and my kids reacted to all that stuff. I just couldn’t risk their health by not knowing all the ingredients being put in and on their food anymore.”

That’s why the Happy Hoe Farm Market brings fresh, organic produce to its customers and asks that all its vendors label all their ingredients. With 75 percent of their inventory being food items and 25 percent of nonfood items like woodwork, plants, soy candles, lye soap, shampoo and conditioner bars, goat milk soaps and lotions and so much more, there is quite an array to shop from.

“We currently have 26 vendors but we need more to fill this size store. From farm fresh produce, eggs, non-homogenized milk, meats, sourdough bread, local honey, herbal teas, syrups and tinctures. There’s so much to enjoy with lots of sweet treats, deli sandwiches and ice cream. Plus we didn’t leave out our furry friends; we have doggie treats that are actually healthy for them.

“For our vendors we use separate bar codes and link them up so they know their sales. Manage their inventory and they get notifications of their sales and have full transparency with their goods. As for our customers we were currently working on setting up an online store where soon we can offer curbside pickup. So lots of new things are coming.”

Of course the cutest things available are the Happy Hoe t-shirts with some clever sayings like “We Hoe So You Don’t Have To,” “A Dirty Hoe is A Happy Hoe,” “Hoe-Lotta Lickin’ Goin’ On,” and “Dig In, Laugh Loud, Shop Local.” One might even add one just for the local “Paper Ladies” that says “We Know A Hoe-Lotta Dirt In This Town.”

“So we hope everyone will stop by The Happy Hoe Farm Market to grab a bite to eat. Then shop local with some local vendors to take home so great food and goods to enjoy.”

For more information about certain items or if in need of finding specific items contact Miranda Casteel at 918617-2627 or email her at happyhoefarmmarket@gmail.com.