A popular attraction in downtown Lehighton is set to move a few doors down this weekend.

The Lehighton Downtown Winter Farmers Market will move from Lehighton’s Lower Park to the Hofford Mill in Weissport. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.

For patrons, that means all their favorite farmers will be there with all items being homegrown, homemade or handmade, according to Bambi Elsasser, treasurer of the Lehighton Downtown Initiative.

Elsasser said March 28 was the last time the winter farmers market was held, as the April 11 event had to be canceled because the event is located on borough property.

“A big thank you to the Hofford Mill for allowing the market to continue,” Elsasser said. “We thank the Hofford Mill for reaching out to the Lehighton Downtown Farmers regarding their bulk purchases, and the idea came around to hold the market at the Hofford Mill location.”

Kathryn McEvilly, owner/CEO of the Hofford Mill, said her establishment was more than willing to assist the farmers market.

“We actually had started doing bulk buys about three weeks ago from the Hofford Mill, so we’re doing like groceries and other supplies people need,” McEvilly said. “As we were doing that, I was looking for different entities, and when I saw that the farmers market was delayed, I thought this was another great thing we could offer from our property.”

Borough properties cannot be used right now because of the shutdown. “Because we are a private entity - we don’t have that same issue - and we certainly have the space, we still want to see the farmers around here succeed, and without a place to sell them, it’s hard to do that,” she said. “I thought we could centralize, and instead of them going to five places, they can go to one.”

Some of the farmers and vendors will be doing preorders, so their items will be ready for pickup upon arrival.

Confirmed farmers and vendors to date include BAD Farm, Foothill Farm, Patriot Farms, Debbie’s Pie in the Sky, Caribbean Noodles and UnCommon Grounds with curbside pickup.

Elsasser said she was still waiting to hear from several more farmers/vendors.

“Please note we will be following all state requirements regarding farmers markets,” she said. “So please be aware social distancing and the wearing of face masks will be required.”

May 16 is scheduled to be the start of the Lehighton Downtown Summer Farmers Market in Lehighton’s Lower Park.

“At this time no information is available how this will be handled,” Elsasser said. “This is on a wait-and-see with what happens with the state and their requirements (as) right now only essential items can be sold at the market.”

Elsasser encouraged patrons to follow the Lehighton Downtown Farmers Market on its Facebook page for updates.

McEvilly said she’s glad the two entities are able to work together.

“We’re excited to team up, and I think Weissport’s really coming along, and it’s so awesome to see Lehighton and Weissport bridge the gap,” she said. “Unfortunately, sometimes it takes some kind of pandemic for us to go beyond our boundaries, but I think this opens the door for us for even more opportunities to work together in the future.”

As for the Hofford Mill, McEvilly said the restaurant and the entire complex is closed, save for the coffee shop, which is doing curbside.

The Hofford Mill is doing bulk-size pickups.

“People have been really excited about it,” she said. “They can shop local, and they don’t have to go into the store.”

McEvilly said she hopes it can continue, whether it’s the farmers market or bulk buys.

“We have to innovate like this,” she said. “We don’t have a choice if we want to survive.”