It was a hot and muggy Friday afternoon, but business was good at Emmitsburg's Farmers Market. A steady stream of shoppers kept coming to take advantage of the fresh vegetables, bread, flowers and other homegrown and homemade items there.

The market is located on the northbound side of South Seton Avenue, just before the town center and features about 10 area vendors from 3-7 p.m., each Friday.

Freda Boller of Grimes Country Fresh Eggs said it was her first time working the stand, but her daughter, Jessica, 12, had been working every week since the market opened June 25.

Jessica said the crowds have been "pretty good;" her mother said they had sold 50 dozen eggs on the first day alone.

Becky and John Kile sell homemade baked goods, flowers, lemonade and some vegetables. Becky agreed the market has been busy.

"It's been great. It's been fun," she said in between helping customers.

The only real drawback was that her homemade goodies were somewhat susceptible to the heat and she didn't have a canopy to protect them from the sun. The couple did manage to keep them from melting, she said.

Libby Oluich of Stonehearth Bakery said the demand for the crusty, European style breads and pastries for which the store is known was high. The stand carries many kinds of bread from white to whole wheat, sourdough, herb and raisin.

Tim Hagan, owner of Harvest Moon Farms in Walkersville, offered a multitude of fresh vegetables and fruits. Tomatoes, cantaloupes and watermelon were popular as well as a choice of fresh vegetables ­ eggplant, squash, green peppers and more - selling three for $1. Hagan agreed that business has been "very good."

Visitors to the market said they enjoyed the diverse selection and prices at the market.

Cortez Lawrence of Gettysburg, Pa., stopped at the market to get the makings for salad and Mercedes Lavender of Fairfield, Pa., for tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables. She planned to make gazpacho, she said.

Town planner Michael Lucas said the Farmers Market has been going strong since its first day. The town regularly gets feedback from people in and outside the town who are coming to the market and enjoying the selection of fresh products.

"We are extremely pleased... We have outstanding vendors and outstanding public response," Lucas said.

The market was the "brainchild" of Mayor Jim Hoover, who asked the town staff in fall 2003 to look into arranging it. A Farmers Market Committee made up of Jen Staiger, Don Briggs and Thelma Richardson then worked "extremely hard to make the market a success, along with Mayor Hoover," Lucas said.

The town is also considering some new ideas for the market, Lucas said, such as having vendors offer coupons to customers for services at nearby businesses and the town is considering expanding the market.

"We are looking at adding some new vendors now. They sought us out and we're extremely pleased with the spillover in terms of the economic impact on other businesses [in the town]," Lucas said.

The market is open from 3 to 7 p.m., every Friday through Oct. 22. For more information, contact the town hall at 301-600-6300.