By Christina Martin
Sometimes the best discoveries come through word of mouth. When two people recommended the same place to me in one week, I knew I had to check it out.
That’s how I discovered Makers Market Co-op by Big Red Homestead in Galloway. What I found was much more than a shop filled with handmade products. It was a welcoming space where local artisans, small-business owners and neighbors come together, each contributing to something special.
Curious about how it all began, I returned to sit down with the owner, Andrea, to learn her story. She greeted me with a big hug, and I immediately understood why I had heard so many wonderful things about her. Her warmth and enthusiasm were contagious.
Andrea, her husband, George Policastro, and their son moved to Galloway from central New Jersey in 2021. They purchased 2 acres of land with hopes of becoming more self-sufficient and embracing a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle.
They named their property Big Red Homestead after their first chicken, Big Red. Today, their growing homestead includes chickens, ducks, a goat named Franco and a sheep named Angus.
A nurse by profession, Andrea began making her own baby food, canning fruits and vegetables, and creating nontoxic household products. She eventually began selling her homemade room and linen sprays, laundry soaps, cleaning products and makeup at local pop-up markets, including the Risley Square Farmers Market.
When someone gifted her a sourdough starter, another passion was born. Soon, she was baking sourdough loaves and scones.
But Andrea dreamed of something bigger than selling her own creations. She envisioned a permanent space where local makers could share their talents, grow their businesses and support one another.
That vision became Makers Market Co-op at Risley Square, in the heart of Galloway.
Today, the market features approximately 30 to 40 local artisans and makers from communities stretching from Little Egg Harbor to Cape May. Most are women-owned businesses, many based in Galloway, although several male-owned businesses also participate.
Each vendor pays a monthly fee to sell products and works a shift in the shop. This cooperative approach not only helps keep the business running but also gives customers the opportunity to meet the people behind the products.
The selection extends well beyond handmade gifts. Andrea also offers locally sourced foods from area farms, carefully considering the quality of the products and how the animals are raised and fed.
Among the farms represented are Able Acres, Maple Crest and Provenance. Freezer cases are filled with locally sourced meats and cheeses, while shelves offer fresh eggs and other homestead products. Andrea’s sourdough breads and scones are sold alongside brownies, cookies, cupcakes and other treats from local cottage bakers.
During my visit, I quickly realized that the sense of community was just as important as the merchandise.
A customer I had never met struck up a conversation with me about Galloway, his family and the importance of shopping locally. We chatted for quite some time. Nearby, a vendor was arranging a new display of her products.
These simple interactions captured what makes Makers Market special. It’s not just about buying something. It’s about knowing the people behind the products and supporting the neighbors who make our communities unique.
The market also hosts workshops for children and adults, including sourdough bread baking, candle making and soap making. These hands-on experiences provide another way for neighbors to connect, learn and create together.
As the holiday shopping season approaches, Makers Market Co-op offers an opportunity to find thoughtful, handmade gifts while making a meaningful difference close to home.
When we choose to shop locally, we’re doing more than purchasing a gift. We’re supporting someone’s dream, helping a small business grow and keeping our communities vibrant.
And sometimes, as I discovered at Makers Market, we walk away with something even more valuable than what we came to buy: a sense of connection.
For information about upcoming workshops and events, visit Instagram at @makersmarketcooprisleysquare or BigRedHomesteadNJ.com.
Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy food, and proud mother. She shares her passion for seasonal cooking, plant-based living, and supporting local farms through both teaching and writing. Christina’s plant based expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine.
