Agoura Hills : Entrepreneur Plans New Farmers’ Market

Entrepreneur Kim McCauley recalls how she bristled when a Thousand Oaks farmers’ market rejected her request to rent a booth for her floral arrangements. “They were very choosy,” she said. “Their reasoning was they already had too many plant providers.”

Frustrated, she decided to start a farmers’ market of her own. The 31-year-old single mother, undaunted by her lack of experience, forged ahead. “I just thought to myself, ‘This couldn’t be that hard,’ ” she said.

McCauley said she believes she’s destined to succeed. When she approached Agoura Hills businessman Vance Moran about renting space at Whizins’ Shopping Center, she said he replied: “It’s funny you should ask: The city asked me about doing [a farmers’ market] a couple of months ago.”

The city has placed her project on a fast track, believing the market will be good for the city. And McCauley has promised to give a portion of the profits to the city’s library.

“I think people are looking forward to this,” said City Councilwoman Joan Yacovone.

The market, at Whizins’ Shopping Center on Driver Avenue in Agoura Hills, is scheduled to open in about a month. Hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Moran said he believes McCauley will make up for her lack of experience with determination and drive. “I think she’ll make it,” he said.

But McCauley said: “I’m just kind of going to go one step at a time.”