When it comes to buying and gifting locally, Willow Peterson is a bona fide expert.
The Sebastopol flower farmer and real estate agent purchased Made Local Marketplace in 2020 to prevent it from closing its doors for good in downtown Santa Rosa. After moving to Montgomery Village later that year, she’s continued to grow and refine the shop that features local artisans and makers and is beloved by shoppers for offering an alternative to mass-produced goods.
A Made Local outpost opened last year in Novato, and in February, the Santa Rosa store relocated within Montgomery Village. Peterson sees the move as an opportunity for growth and plans to add a small section of wine and beer from boutique producers.
424 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa. 707-583-7667, madelocalmarketplace.com
A believer in using products that are sold at Made Local Marketplace, Peterson keeps chili crisps from Hei Ma (formerly Big Spoon Sauce Co.) in her cupboard at all times. “I make a savory oatmeal in the morning and I use the Kraken Sauce,” she says describing the mild, seaweed-based chili crisp, one of the seasonal specials from Hei Ma’s founder, Lani Chan. “It’s got a fried egg on top and Sriracha sauce and the seaweedy crispiness. It’s amazing. It’s the weirdest breakfast, but it’s so nourishing.” heimamade.co
Peterson has two big dogs — Akbash mixes — including one, named Zeke, who weighs in at 150 pounds. And big dogs need big treats, which is why she heads to Panizzera Meat Co. for their super-sized snacks. “They have bones that are cheap, but very good quality,” she says. “I give my big guy big beef bones so that he doesn’t destroy the house.” 3905 Main St., Occidental. 707-874-9770, panizzerameatco.com
As a busy working mom, finding time to work out can be a challenge. After dropping her daughter off at school, Peterson sometimes heads to Helen Putnam Regional Park to squeeze in a micro-hike on the Panorama Steps. “It’s this long set of stairs that goes to the top of the hill and has this amazing view,” she says of the 123-step climb nicknamed The Stairway to Helen, which she climbs twice. “Then I get back to the car in 20 minutes, huffing and puffing a little bit.” 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
Living in Sebastopol, Peterson and her family are all about apples and grow their own. In April, the Apple Blossom Parade and Festival is a long-standing family tradition. “We love to watch the parade. It feels like the unofficial start of spring.” When harvest rolls around a few months later, they take apples from their trees to Slow Food’s community apple press to make cider. Apple Blossom Parade & Festival is April 25-26. appleblossomfest.com; for community apple press, see slowfoodrr.org.