Farmers’ Market Worries Some Merchants

Some downtown merchants say that the Friday afternoon farmers’ market and crafts fair could hurt their businesses and draw customers away.

The weekly event was temporarily held on Main Street between Walnut and Olive avenues. And even though it has, for now, been relocated to another site on Orange Avenue, the city is considering permanently bringing the market and fair back to Main Street.

That has some merchants worried.

They say that when the event was held on Main before, part of the street was closed off, making it difficult for customers to patronize their businesses. They also complained that crafts fair vendors sold items similar to their own wares, creating what some merchants consider unfair competition.

Some business owners support eliminating the crafts fair, shortening the farmers’ market hours, moving it to another weekday and finding another downtown location that won’t interfere with their businesses.

“If we just had the farmers’ market and no crafters, we all stand to benefit,” said Carrie Benoit, owner of Surf City Casuals.

Benoit said that when Main Street was partly closed off, it “just killed our business completely. It’s really affected a lot of us.”

Assistant City Manager Ray Silver said that holding the event on Main was an effort to boost business downtown, increase visitors and create an atmosphere inviting to adults and families.

Merchants met on Tuesday to try to resolve their differences, but no decisions were reached. Another meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday with farmers and craft vendors.

Diane Baker, a farmers’ market committee member and president of the Conference and Visitors Bureau, said most merchants at Tuesday’s meeting wanted the event to remain downtown.

Steve Daniel, president of the Downtown Merchants Assn., said the event has helped bring people to the area. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened,” he said.