Thursday Evening Farmers’ Market

The Torrance Farmers’ Market will be open Thursday evenings this spring and summer, a change expected to draw shoppers seeking fresh produce on their way home from work.

The open-air market will continue its Tuesday schedule (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at Charles H. Wilson Park on Crenshaw Boulevard.

The Torrance City Council on Tuesday approved operation of the market at the park on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m., from mid-May through September. The evening market is expected to have 30 participating farmers and draw about 3,000 customers weekly.

The new hours reflect the market’s growing success, said Mayor Katy Geissert.

“It has proved not only to be popular, but it has created a sense of community that is hard to quantify. People look forward to going and socializing,” Geissert said.

The market, first opened in 1985, will start evening hours during the summer months because the market site does not have lights. Lights might be added if the evening market is successful and if lighting fits in with long-term plans for the park, said Gene G. Barnett, city director of parks and recreation.

The pilot project this summer is expected to cost $13,000, which will will come from market revenues.