ROGERS -- Edison Lights strung throughout the Downtown Rogers Farmers Market illuminated the former transmission repair shop as Ryan Neal looked out a bay doorway.
Neal, the market manager, has spent weeks finishing details at the building for the market that opens today. About 35 vendors, along with food trucks, are expected, Neal said. A band will provide entertainment.
Rogers Farmers Market
The Downtown Rogers Farmers Market is open 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. It will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday from May 19 to Aug. 18.
Source: Staff report
Main Street Rogers officials announced the year-round market last fall. The City Council earlier this year approved paying for part of the building renovation at 101 Cherry St.
"We have gained a lot of support from downtown residents," Neal said. "We are hoping to gain more once people come and see what we have."
Building renovation included adding numerous electrical outlets and better lighting, Neal said.
Mayor Greg Hines said city officials want to have one of the best markets in the region.
"We have set up a great venue," Hines said. "We are bringing in valued vendors. I think we are going to deliver."
Most of the renovation was done in-house to save costs, Hines said.
"Our internal staff has worked very hard to make this happen," Hines said.
Tom Lowder of Elkins, a bison meat vendor, is excited for the market to open today. He sold bison from his ranch at the Bentonville and Fayetteville farmers markets last year.
"It will be nice to be indoors and out of the elements," Lowder said about the Rogers market.
Having a dedicated building will allow vendors to leave some supplies, Lowder said.
"In all the markets we have been to, we have to load everything up, transport it there and pack it back up at the end of the day," Lowder said.
State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers, committed a $100,000 Arkansas General Improvement Fund grant to the renovation project last month. The city committed $100,000 for renovations, $20,000 for design and $22,000 for additional materials.
The Walton Family Foundation last week gave a $24,950 grant to help pay to renovate a kitchen in the building.
The kitchen can only be used for cooking demonstrations, Neal said. The grant will help pay to get the kitchen certified to serve food, he said.
NW News on 04/30/2016