PARIS — When David Robichaud purchased the old 8,800-square-foot Bolster’s Decorating building and transformed it into a home goods showplace of repurposing, reusing and recycling vintage décor, part of his vision to provide space for local farmers and makers to sell their own products directly to local customers.

Now, courtesy of Robichaud’s Oxford Hills Mercantile, a new farmers market has been established in its parking lot located at 9 Market Square.

Opening day was last week and the market will run every Thursday from 2-6 p.m. through Oct. 2.

Eight vendors were on hand to launch the South Paris Farmers Market. A few had opted to sit the week out due to unpredictable weather, but Robichaud expects a core of 12 or more to participate week-to-week.

“Had a really good crowd to open,” Robichaud told the Advertiser Democrat Thursday as the day was winding down. “I feel very pleased and encouraged by the turnout. Our pasta vendor actually sold out.

“We will have a nice variety of vendors. My goal is to have something a little different than the other farmers markets in the area.”

On Thursday, a shopper could pick up whatever they needed for healthy meal preparation, along with some specialty flavors and kitchen accessories.

Kittridgebrook Farm of West Paris came with pasture-raised beef, pork and poultry, while Pea Vee’s Delights was there with produce (mostly sold out) grown in their gardens.

New provisioner Petrullo Farms of Buckfield featured a variety of fresh pastas from spaghetti to lasagna. Owners Jennifer Sarullo and Josh Petrocelli said they are developing beet and spinach flavors and expect to add their baked breads to their line as they gear up.

There were fresh, foraged mushrooms available; gourmet vanilla additives produced by Frechette Family Farms; all-day suckers; and potted herbs and garden succulents.

Lori and Mike Ingles of Down Country Lane, a sewing crafts maker, vended their line of potholders, bowl cozies, bibs and quilts.

Among Frechette Family Farms’ offerings were vanilla-infused salt and sugar, a double extract and paste. Linda Frechette said she creates all her flavors in her home-kitchen and they can be used for finishing, or for baking and to use in candy-making.

Genuine Maine’s all-day suckers come in all-ages-friendly flavors of wild cherry, wild blueberry and old-fashioned vanilla. Adults can choose CBD suckers, or vegan edibles. They also sell CBD-based dog treats.

Among the more novel items available, Pea Vee’s Delights had seedling chestnut trees for sale. Owner Pat Verrill grew them from seed provided from a local tree. She said it is best to plant them as soon as you get get home, as the roots grow straight down and will not grow well if started in a pot or bucket. They also need to be protected from browsing deer for several seasons.

Robichaud says there is plenty of space for additional makers to join the South Paris Farmers Market. There is no table fee or formal application process during its inaugural season, but he is vetting participants to avoid potential product overlap between vendors.

Anyone interested in joining should stop by Oxford Hills Mercantile during regular business hours or call Robichaud at 207-390-0537.