Those who enjoy buying directly from the growers and producers of local products will appreciate this:

The Pony Express Farmers’ Market in St. Joseph plans to close its outdoor market for the season on Oct. 29. But on the same day, it hopes to open a “winter” market location just a few steps away.

Just like that, fans of the market will be saved from having to endure a five-month separation from many of the things they most crave. We should have expected nothing less from this resilient organization, now in its 12th year of serving St. Joseph area residents.

The farmers’ market built up a loyal following at its previous site on the parking lot of East Hills Shopping Center, then had to make way for the early stages of the big construction project related to the mall’s renovation.

In April, the market relocated to the other side of Frederick Boulevard in the parking lot of East Ridge Village. The new indoor location for winter months will be in a storefront at 3801 Frederick Blvd., behind the Village Steak House. It will keep the same hours as the spring-to-fall market.

Each Wednesday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the outdoor market features from 20 to 30 vendors selling fresh local produce and products grown or made within 100 miles of the market. Today is the market’s Customer Appreciation Day, which means free samples will be provided by each vendor and coffee, apple cider, caramel apples and pears will be available.

The winter market likely will feature wares from eight or nine vendors who have year-round products — such as eggs, honey, jams, popcorn, baked goods, candles and crafts — to sell. A local vendor of homemade Mexican tamales and enchiladas will participate, too.

“We won’t have all the produce, but we thought we’d try it and see how it goes,” one vendor explained. It’s a modest goal for something already so successful.