Local vendors bring unique products to farmers markets

SALINE COUNTY - As summer continues throughout southern Illinois, local vendors are making more appearances throughout the community.

The various offerings from these vendors range from produce, baked goods, candles and soaps to uniquely designed items.

Melissa Leinenbach of Eldorado has been selling her wares ranging from all-natural candles to soaps and pies throughout Saline and Williamson counties.

Beginning each day at 8 a.m. and going until noon, Leinenbach has been one of the faithful summer vendors seen throughout Harrisburg.

"This is a year-around thing for me," Leinenbach said. "My parents and I started doing this about 30 years ago. We've basically been doing it ever since."

Unlike some other vendors, Leinenbach sells not only during the summer months but also during the fall.

"I basically take time (from summer shows) and go straight into my fall shows," Leinenbach said.

Leinenbach is a distributor of Watkins-brand products, having sold Watkins products since 2008. These products make up a majority of the goods Leinenbach sells and includes all-natural health care packets, candles, scents, flavorings, and seasonings. In addition, Leinenbach bakes pies and bread, which she also sells.

Leinenbach maintains local and convenient locations within Saline County and its bordering areas, providing as much opportunity for southern Illinoisans to take advantage of her products as well as those of other local vendors.

Among these other vendors is Bill Dunstan of Golconda who, along with his partner Maggie Muniz, sells various wooden panels, cases, and boxes with unique and specific designs. Dunstan refers to them specifically as lasered crafts.

"This was a standing tree," Dunstan said, referring to the various displays of woodwork. "We cut the tree down, we sawed it into boards and blocks, sanded them, and put laser designs into them."

"These are made completely by us," Dunstan said.

Dunstan's involvement in vinyl graphics assisted him in bringing his skills to woodwork design. The business Dunstan has received since has taken him to various vending locations throughout southeastern Illinois as well as online, where Dunstan fills various orders and ships them throughout the country.

Muniz, originally from Puerto Rico, has experience in dealing with locals as a vendor both in the United States and in her native country. Both Dunstan and Muniz have taken their work to Puerto Rico in the past, taking advantage of the local pulguero, or flea market.

Both Leinenbach and Dunstan will be taking advantage of the summer's economy, selling at the Bonan Center during the Friday Farmer's Market and at various locations throughout Harrisburg, Eldorado, and Golconda.