Market Information Unseasonal shopping Business keeps going in the cold at area farmers' markets.

It's 6:45 a.m. on a late February Thursday. A golden sunrise glints over the nearly empty Columbus Farmers Market as a stiff wind blows snow through rows of wooden tables.

Then, the first sign of life.

Rocco from Staten Island takes a broom and begins sweeping snow from a table.

He and other vendors will empty their vehicles of their wares - everything from old mannequins to vintage photographs to surplus Tastykakes.

They are the hardy regulars of the market. Their numbers are a far cry from the nearly 1,000 vendors who will crowd the outdoor and indoor markets on warmer days from spring through Thanksgiving.

But, "when you need the money, you need the money," Rocco says, clearing space to sell new DVDs and videotapes.

Rocco owned a bagel shop in North Jersey, but business dried up when a doughnut chain opened in a shop next door. Now, he gets along selling movies at Columbus and other markets.

Some days, he might venture to the Berlin Farmers Market (Saturdays and Sundays) or the Palmyra Flea Market (Saturdays and Sundays). Tuesdays or Saturdays could be spent at Cowtown Farmers Market in Salem County. If he's not in the mood to drive far from Staten Island, he might just head for the Englishtown Auction in Monmouth County (Saturdays and Sundays).

But, the market routine is just about the same at all the locales.

At 7:30 a.m. at Columbus, the 5,000-square-foot Lancaster Meats store opens inside. That's where about 30 Amish workers sell fresh meats, baked goods, handcrafts and wooden furniture.

By 8 a.m., every vendor who will set up shop outside has done so. There are about 25 folks selling used and antique wares. An additional 40 or so are set up under the market's pavilion, selling new items.

At 8:30 a.m., the inside stores (there are more than 60) begin opening.

And the outdoor produce markets have opened. There's not a lot of Jersey produce, but the stalls are full of everything from apples to zucchini, shipped from warmer climates.

"The market is totally weather-driven," says Janice Anderson, the market manager. "We're open all year; on days like this, we'll have about 50 tables full. A few weeks ago, we had temperatures in the 50s, and the place looked like it does in the summer."

At 11:30 a.m., the outdoor vendors begin putting merchandise back in their vehicles for the trip home. Inside, shoppers hit the stores.

Rocco from Staten Island has had a so-so day.

"But if I were home, my wife would have had me working. Plus, it'll be spring again."