Laureen Lapitan sat surrounded by cupcakes as the rain and wind battered her tent and the surrounding Marina Park patrons. Her young business, Cupcake Luv, was just one of the more than 50 different booths that were part of the Kirkland Wednesday Market’s opening day on May 6.

With the ailing economy, the market gives new businesses a chance to get noticed, established businesses a chance to reconnect and patrons the opportunity to experience an eclectic assortment of fresh produce and other goods.

“The market is a great place to introduce new products and flavors,” said Lapitan. “It is very important for me. It’s where I live and I am very proud of what I have in my community.”

Cupcake Luv is based in Kirkland but does not have a store front yet.

The weather that battered the waterfront kept many, but not all, of the expected crowd away from the opening. But live music and Hawaiian Ice brightened many of passerby’s faces.

A retired Central Pierce Firefighter and Market vendor of Oak Hills Farms Hawaiian Shave Ice, Marty Wheeler said in the past lines at his booth have spanned from 80-200 kids.

“They call me ice man,” Wheeler said after serving up a Hawaiian Shave Ice treat to his only customer in line despite the downpour – 2-year-old Harrison Chapman. The rain and wind couldn’t wipe the smile from one youngster’s face when he saw the Hawaiian Ice.

“We serve, rain or shine,” Wheeler added, noting Oak Hills Farms is the Market’s oldest vendor, at nine years.

“[The rain] is a fact of life but people still go out,” said Doris Oberholzer of Kirkland’s Sasi’s Cafe.

For Sasi’s Cafe, the market affords the opportunity to connect with new and longtime patrons. Sasi’s Cafe has been in Kirkland since 2000 but recently moved into Parkplace from the downtown Kirkland waterfront. This is the first year they have had a booth in the Kirkland Market.

“We used to take orders form the vendors and make them food,” said Oberholzer. “But we are so far away from downtown that this gives people a chance to see that we are still around.”

Five-year-old Heather James danced under the Marina pavilion to the tunes of Geoffrey Castle, an electric six-string violinist. Other festivities during the day included sounds from the Lake Washington High school Choir, Lyrica, who opened the ceremonies with the National Anthem.

Kids from Bright Horizon Day Care sang “you are my sunshine” in the rain, followed by words from Mayor Jim Lauinger.

“We had a lower turnout but the people who came spent money, so the vendors were happy,” said Jodi Bardinelli, the Market’s Director.

As far as the benefits for the town center, Bardinelli cited a study done last fall, which showed that 99 cents of every dollar spent at Farmers’ Markets stay in state. For every person that comes to the market it is estimated that $5 is spent in the downtown area.

“We expect more people and we have free parking during the day,” she added.

The Market featured many different types of businesses and goods, from fresh cut flowers, produce, jewelry and Hawaiian Ice to Marilyn’s Nut Butter.

“My product is so different that people need to taste it to see what it is, so this is the perfect outlet,” said Marilyn Taylor, who started Marilyn’s Nut Butter in September.

Her butter is made with nuts other than peanuts and has spices and other tasty additions for flavor.

The biggest change this year is the location with the Market moving from Park Lane during its ninth season because of construction projects. The positives from the move are obvious with views of Lake Washington in the background.

Though Bardinelli noted, “we are a bit hidden, which is a concern.”

The event normally receives a grant from King County, which was smaller this year with the struggling economy.

“We appreciate that money. We spent most of it on the move,” said Bardinelli, who expects to have all 65 booths full. “It was close to $10,000.”

The Kirkland Market takes place from 2-7 p.m. every Wednesday at Marina Park and will go on until Oct. 14. Other Famer’s Markets in the area include Juanita Beach at 2-7 p.m. on Fridays; Woodinville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Issaquah from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., both on Saturdays; and Mercer Island from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information on the Kirkland Wednesday Market visit www.kirklandwednesdaymarket.org

For more information, visit the Kirkland Wednesday Market Web site.