Meet the vendors of the Downtown Arlington Farmers Market (Part 1)

Every Saturday through November, the Downtown Arlington Farmers Market comes alive with the sights, sounds and flavors of our community with fresh food and handmade goods. Behind each booth is a story of tradition carried through generations, of hobbies that blossomed into passions, and of creativity that connects neighbors in unexpected ways. From family farms with deep Texas roots to artisans transforming glass into glowing works of art, these vendors bring more than products to the table.  

Wells Berry Farms: Freshness with History 

For Adam Wells, farming is a family tradition that goes back generations. All the way back to when his family received land in East Texas from the state in honor of an ancestor, William H. Wells, who fought and died at the Battle of the Alamo. His family began with blackberries more than a century ago, and they remain the heart of Wells Berry Farm today. 

At the Arlington Farmers Market, blackberries and peaches are crowd favorites, while Adam’s personal favorite is the blueberry — a crop that only became viable in Texas after Texas A&M developed the Rabbiteye variety 50 years ago. Market days start with harvests just a day or two before, with fruit stored in coolers to keep it fresh until it reaches customers’ hands. 

Adam says what sets Arlington apart is its energy and community spirit. “It makes me smile to see people enjoy fruit they thought they hated their whole lives, just because their only experience was with grocery store produce,” he said. For him, selling locally is about freshness and community connection. “You get to actually meet the people who grow your food, ask questions about how it’s grown, and feel more connected to what you’re eating,” Wells said. “I think that personal connection and freshness is something you just can’t get at the grocery store.” 

GrainRoot: Baked with Simplicity 

For owner Radu Cornea, bread has always been a way of life. Growing up surrounded by good bread, he carried that appreciation into his own baking. First just for himself, then for friends and neighbors who kept asking for more. “Nothing fancy, nothing impressive,” Radu says. “Just a good appreciation for good bread.” That mindset grew into GrainRoot, now a staple at the Downtown Arlington Farmers Market. 

Radu specializes in artisan sourdough, naturally leavened and made with organic flours for better flavor and easier digestion. His lineup includes the customer favorite jalapeño cheese bread, a soft sourdough sandwich loaf that’s perfect for first-time sourdough eaters and even naturally leavened croissants. Every loaf takes days of planning, mixing, fermenting and baking — a rhythm that defines his week. “My goal is simply to work hard and feed people,” Cornea said. 

While he also runs a Colleyville storefront two days a week, Radu says the farmers market community remains central to his work. Arlington, in particular, has been welcoming, with a loyal base of customers who return week after week.  

"At the end of the day, it’s better to support people who specialize in a craft rather than letting industry machines do it all,” he said. “It’s us feeding ourselves, not just relying on big corporations.” 

Mary’s Glass Creations: Art with Inspiration 

For Mary Clements, glass art began with a nudge. “Funny story,” she said. “My neighbor signed up for a stained-glass class and dragged me along. She found it boring, and I fell in love with it.” That unexpected spark became Mary’s Glass Creations, a booth filled with suncatchers, ornaments and custom pieces that shimmer in the light. 

At first, glass took over her home. To keep creating, she expanded her repertoire to include fused glass, which allowed her to experiment with different techniques and build enough inventory for shows. Sunflowers remain her favorite stained-glass subject, while fused glass ornaments and bowls bring a playful, popular flair. “Depending on the type and color of glass, I can go from fancy to whimsical and have so much fun deciding how to go when I start a new piece,” she said. 

Her process starts with inspiration sometimes from a customer, sometimes from the material itself. At the Downtown Arlington Farmers Market, conversations often spark new ideas. A customer might mention a love for butterflies or cardinals, leading to a new design. Some even return with photos of loved ones receiving her work as gifts.  

“I joke with my customers, I work with glass, my DNA is in almost every piece,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Clements hopes to expand into larger projects like full-size windows and even restoring stained glass windows once she retires from her full-time job. Until then, her market booth continues to sparkle, reminding shoppers that handmade art carries a depth and meaning no mass-produced piece can match. 

The Downtown Arlington Farmers Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday with hours going back to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting in October. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated. We will see you there!