May is so much more than just a promise Justin Timberlake made us. It also represents the inarguable arrival of spring. Ramps are shooting up from the ground, trees and flowers are budding, and days become warmer and lighter at long last.

We’re excited about picnics and barbecues and long walks with friends after locking ourselves away to suffer through the long end of winter.

The arrival of these beautiful tulips from Prusak Floral Design (coming in twice a week) have brought so much light and joy to staff and shoppers alike, it seemed like the perfect herald for May. There’s so much fun and celebration to be found in this month, so come to us for your Cinco de Mayo needs, for some wonderful Mother’s Day treats, and for the emergent grilling season leading up to Memorial Day Weekend. We have some wonderful sales and events to share this month, so take a look below at the calendar and come celebrate with AR Market!

May Events Calendar

Friday, May 3 - Trenchers Farmhouse Pasta Tasting!

Come join us in-store from noon til we sell out! Trenchers will be in the market for a tasting of their toothsome and beautifully-made fresh pastas. They will be sampling pasta salad made from their classic style and a gluten-free variety. You may have read all about them in last month’s newsletter, but they are a Lyndonville-based power couple making hyper-locally-sourced pastas from Northeast Kingdom grains and eggs from their own chicken herd. You can truly taste both terroir and technique. You don’t wanna miss this one!

Wednesday, May 8 - CANNOLI DAY

All three varieties from 1 pm til we sell out!

Thursday, May 16 - National Barbecue Day

Celebrate early onset grill season with 15% off hot dogs, buns (burger or hot dog), ground beef, and pork chops. Make sure you have that patio furniture clean and ready.

Friday, May 17 - International Pinot Grigio Day

You know we love our wine, and now it’s time to celebrate one of the most iconic Italian varietals - pinot grigio! 15% off all PGs for the entire day. On a Friday, no less!

Wednesday, May 22 - CANNOLI DAY

Back and better than ever! Whether it’s classic, lemon pistachio, or chocolate orange zest, we got cannoli needs covered from 1 pm on.

Thursday, May 23 - National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day

Just to ease off of our reputation as a leading purveyor of temptations, we’ll be celebrating healthy selections with 15% off all fresh fruit and vegetables out of the produce cooler. We love the stuff!

Friday, May 31 - Zero Gravity Beer Tasting

We are often known for our great wine department, but we sell a great selection of beers and ciders as well. Come see what’s new, fresh, and tasty with Zero Gravity Brewing from 4-6 pm and get the weekend started off right.

**VT Vendor Highlight: Patchwork Farm & Bakery**
**- Charlie Bread**

Charlie (of Charlie Bread) from Hardwick’s Patchwork Farm & Bakery has a rather charming explanation for the bakery’s inspiration: necessity. After a few tough seasons at their small farm, his wife informed him it was time to find a new gig - preferably one that brought in more dough.

After starting at Hardwick fixture Galaxy Books, Charlie picked up a few books on sourdough and brick ovens - and the rest is delicious bread-y history!

They deliver a wonderful assortment of breads on Wednesday morning - part of the treat is not knowing what we’ll get week to week. Look for awesome matzoh crackers, an unbeatable olive bread, biallis, sourdough country loaves, and choco rackers (an unbeatable combo of sourdough, chocolate, and maple). To say nothing of the polenta bread that fits in so well with our rich assortment of Italian goods!

As if you needed an excuse, all of the cured meats from our neighbors at Vermont Salumi will be 20% off through the end of the month - now is the time to stock up for those backyard boards or to put together a gift assortment with a nice long shelf-life.