Leslie Derrig, president of the Conimicut Village Association was on her car phone driving south on Route 95 Saturday afternoon and she couldn’t have been happier.

She was lost for words.

“The response from the villagers was…wonderful…and many of the vendors sold old…they left and came back with more,” she said breathlessly. Derrig was describing the first of the season farmers market held in the parking lot at 955 West Shore Road. That spot is to become The Village- the city’s first Nigerian restaurant.

A total of 14 vendors had tables at the market offering a variety of items from crafted goods to preserves and fresh baked breads. Absent were farmers and fresh produce. That’s going to change this Saturday when three farmers are expected to attend, Derrig said. A total of 22 vendors including the farms have signed up for Saturday. Farmers attend the market at no cost while other vendors pay $25 for a single Saturday. There are discounts for multiple Saturdays. The market is canceled in the event of rain and vendors don’t lose their deposit. It will be held weekly until Sept. 28.

CVA has worked out a system for some parking on the lot as well as on side streets.

Mayor Frank Picozzi cut the ribbon to open the market. Senator Anthony DeLuca, District 29, was present with at $3,500 legislative grant that will be used to help fund the CVA’s summer-long display of hanging and street side potted flowers along West Shore Road.

Derrig said proceeds from the market would be used to offset costs for events held by the CVA, but that really, it’s not about making money, rather about bringing people together and on that score Derrig said the first Conimicut Village Farmers Market exceeded her expectations.