WORCESTER—When Stephanie Ramey launched a small-scale outdoor market last fall on Exchange Street, she wasn’t just testing whether local food could draw a crowd—she was reimagining how Worcester might gather.
“I’m a believer that community activation is essential to making Worcester a vibrant destination and building an ecosystem that supports small businesses,” Ramey told the Worcester Guardian.
Inspired in part by a now-defunct Canal District market she once frequented with her daughter, Ramey’s vision was to create something deeper than a farmers market—something that could anchor a Sunday routine, offer reliable access to fresh food, and double as a grassroots driver of local economic growth.
Now, that idea returns with a bigger footprint and a new name.
Market on Brussels opens Sunday, May 18, and runs weekly through Oct. 26—potentially longer, weather permitting—outside the MJ Whittall Mills on Brussels Street. Designed as “an open-air grocery store,” the market features fresh produce, meats, baked goods, specialty foods, and a limited number of artisan booths.
The shift from a one-off fall pilot to a recurring event came after vendor and customer feedback, but so did the change in location. Brussels Street, Ramey said, simply made more sense.
“It offers long-term sustainability and the support of an eager team of small businesses ready to take the lead,” she said, noting the surrounding ecosystem of entrepreneurs, from Courthouse Brewing Co. and Acoustic Java to The Thicket and Bare Jewelry.
The new site features a sizable lot, better highway access, and a layout that can handle both market growth and foot traffic.
Ramey has since passed the reins to Julia Moriconi, owner of Mrs. Moriconi’s Ice Cream, who serves as market manager. Moriconi, a food producer herself, said that she’s excited to lead a “community-driven market” that lets vendors thrive and customers “discover the best locally made products our region has to offer.”
For Ramey, turning the vision over to someone rooted in food production was critical. “Julia has the experience, the energy, and the passion this project needs,” she said. “This allows her to integrate the market into her business and create a steady pipeline of customers—not just for herself, but for more than 30 other small businesses.”
The team behind Market on Brussels includes several local food entrepreneurs, including Halley Stillman of Still Life Farm, Kate Stillman of Stillman Quality Meats, and Mark Gawlak of Courthouse Brewery. Together, they’re forming the foundation of a registered nonprofit in Massachusetts and are working toward 501(c)(3) federal status.
That nonprofit model is part of Ramey’s long-term goal to create a market that’s less event and more institution.
“We all want and deserve great things for this city,” she said. “But the key to making that happen is showing up—supporting these events, spreading the word, and being part of the energy that helps Worcester thrive.”
More than anything, she hopes Market on Brussels becomes a place of connection.
“I hope it’s a spot where families can spend time together, where friends can meet up on a Sunday afternoon, and where people can connect directly with the folks who grow and produce their food,” she said. “There’s something really special about knowing your purchases are directly supporting the small business community.”
Market on Brussels takes place every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the MJ Whittall Mills on Brussels Street starting May 18. Learn more at marketonbrussels.com or follow @marketonbrussels on Instagram and Facebook.
