Main Street Rogers starts new farmers market

Current market being pushed out, manager says

John Obenshain, a Rogers Farmers Market producer for more than 15 years, sets out a basket of fresh tomatoes Wednesday morning at the farmers market in Rogers. Obenshain is one of several longtime vendors at the market who weren’t happy to hear the announcement Main Street Rogers will take over ownership of the market starting next year.
John Obenshain, a Rogers Farmers Market producer for more than 15 years, sets out a basket of fresh tomatoes Wednesday morning at the farmers market in Rogers. Obenshain is one of several longtime vendors at the market who weren’t happy to hear the announcement Main Street Rogers will take over ownership of the market starting next year.

ROGERS -- Main Street Rogers officials announced Wednesday they will open a new farmers market in spring 2016, intending to replace a nonprofit market that has been operating in the city since 1985.

photo

NWA Democrat-Gazette

A variety of vegetables for sale at the Rogers Farmers Market. Main Street Rogers announced it will take over ownership of the Rogers Farmers Market starting next year.

Officials with the existing market said officials are trying to push them out and were blindsided by the announcement.

Jessica Rush, Main Street Rogers executive director, said the new market will operate through a contract with the city. City support will help expand the farmers market, she said.

"There are grant and education programs that we can offer these farmers by transferring the market," Rush said.

Kimberly Scott, manager of the Rogers Farmers Market, said she was notified about the changes Monday night.

"I was told that Oct. 31 will be our last day," Scott said. "From then on they will actively start working on the 2016 market and we will not have a place downtown."

The City Council's Transportation Committee approves whether to close city property for event organizers. The farmers market has been operating in a city parking lot near Frisco Park.

Mayor Greg Hines said the nonprofit market can still request a parking lot closure for the event. He would recommend the committee not approve a closing for the nonprofit market.

"They are not going to be the market that the city allows public property for them to operate on," Hines said. "They haven't been performing to the standard that the citizens prefer. We have not seen any movement to enhance their standards."

Scott has managed the market for 14 years and has grown the number of vendors, she said. The market has 90 paid members, she said.

"I am pretty upset about this," Scott said. "It is a little heartbreaking and I do take it personally."

Jack Lewis has sold wood furniture at the market for about three months.

"I think the city should have given us a little more notice," Lewis said. "They didn't give us any notice at all. I don't think the city will get much response as far as vendors."

Recent studies have shown many residents want a better farmers market, Hines said. This includes a Downtown Revitalization Plan completed by Gateway Planning, a Texas company, he said.

"There is a clear message from people who want a farmers market that reaches a higher standard," Hines said. "That is what began our conversation. It makes sense for the city to work with Main Street because we already have a working relationship with them."

Residents often assume the market is run by the city since it sits on public property, Hines said.

The city will provide startup costs for the market to be run by Main Street, Hines said. The amount hasn't been decided, he said. The city provides $60,000 to Main Street annually for operating costs.

Hannah Cicioni, Main Street board member, said she led a task force researching how to expand the market. It has looked at ways local farmers markets have grown along with national markets, she said.

"Farmers markets play such a key pivotal role," Cicioni said. "It is not just a place for people to come and buy produce and products, but it is a place for people to come and feel connected to the downtown environment. It is a way to spur commerce and bring people to amenities."

Main Street plans to add elements to the farmers market to draw people to downtown, Cicioni said. She didn't want to provide any examples Wednesday.

"We are still fine-tuning the process," Cicioni said.

Vendor applications for the Main Street-run market will be available soon, Cicioni said. A marketing campaign also will be started in upcoming months, she said.

A location and name for the market have not been decided yet, Rush said.

NW News on 10/01/2015

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