Margolis To Keynote Wellington Chamber Lunch

Peter Robinson and the Wellington Greenmarket will sponsor the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s “State of the City” luncheon Monday, Sept. 30 at the Wanderers Club. The keynote speaker will be Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis.

Robinson is practically synonymous with green markets in Palm Beach County. He made his first mark with the West Palm Beach Green Market in 1995, when he was hired by the City of West Palm Beach to head up its new outdoor market, which he grew from six vendors in its second year to more than 70 vendors less than a decade later.

Under Robinson’s direction, the West Palm Beach Green Market became one of the top farmers’ markets in the country. In 2005, Robinson left to launch Oceanside Farmers Market at Lake Worth Beach, the first market designed and operated under the auspices of his company, Mildly Delirious Design.

A loyal faction of vendors followed Robinson to his new ventures, the Lake Worth Farmers Market and the Wellington Green Market, where he has helped incubate several specialty-food businesses over the years. Robinson conceived and launched an artisan-driven flea market three years ago, adjacent to the Lake Worth Farmers Market, that he called Canal St. South. It was an instant hit among patrons and vendors, and has been duplicated at the Wellington Green Market.

In its third year, the Wellington Green Market has 60-plus vendors providing the western communities seasonal access to locally grown produce, plants, fresh artisan breads, herbs, seafood, cheeses and more.

The Sept. 30 luncheon will sell out, so early reservations are recommended. The cost to attend is $20 for chamber members with RSVP and $30 for nonmembers and the general public. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon begins promptly at noon. RSVPs are required. Tickets can be purchased by calling (561) 792-6525 or visiting the events page at www.wellingtonchamber.com.