A woman stopped by the main table of the Gardendale farmers’ market on Thursday to thank the organizers for hosting the weekly event. She was one of many such individuals to stop and say thanks.

Thursday was the last day of the first season for the farmers’ market, which met once a week in the KMart parking lot in Gardendale.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Gardendale sponsors the market, which features local honey and baked goods as well as fruits and vegetables.

A spokesperson for KMart said the store loved having the farmers’ market and hopes to see it again next year. The store manager was unavailable for further comment by press deadline.

Rich Dender, market manager, said the market will be back next year, starting in June. This year’s season was so successful it was extended through September. Dender originally planned to close the market at the end of August.

“All of the farmers are coming back next year,” Dender said. “That’s a positive statement that they want to come back. We’ve had a very good market.”

Ten farmers had signed up to sell at the market. All were certified by the Alabama Farmers Market Authority, meaning they grow everything they sell and are not peddlers who buy their goods from others.

This year’s market featured special events including Kid Day, Watermelon Day, Tomato Sandwich Day and Senior Day.

Dender has new plans for next year’s market, including programs through the Jefferson County Extension Agency and the Alabama Master Gardener program, a honeybee demonstration by Judy’s Bees of Mt. Olive and cooking demonstrations.

He also wants to partner with businesses for corporate sponsorships.

Another change will be the business hours; Dender will move back operating hours from 2-6 p.m. to 1-5 p.m. in order to accommodate more people. He said that this year, groups of senior citizens were always waiting outside the market for the 2 p.m. opening.

Jim Parola, the market’s assistant manager, said making friends during the 18 market sessions has been his favorite part of the event.

“It’s been a neat experience to get to know the local people,” Parola said. He and Dender said they often watched shoppers stand at the market and chat with long-lost friends as well as new friends.

The Gardendale market is the only one in Jefferson County that sets up and tears down tents and tables for the farmers, according to Dender.

“We spoil our farmers,” Parola said.

Shoppers will get one more chance to purchase goods from the farmers. Five of them will have stands at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Oktoberfest event on Oct. 9.