Merchants Hope to Extend Marketplace

Spurred by the popularity of their Thursday night barbecue and farmers’ market, merchants in downtown Ventura now say they want to extend the summertime event indefinitely.

Started about a month ago, the Thursday Night Marketplace is held on a closed-off section of Main Street between California and Palm streets. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs until about 9 p.m. The street festival features music and produce stands in addition to barbecued food prepared by local restaurateurs.

Downtown merchants say the event has been well received by the community, drawing thousands of people and encouraging downtown businesses to keep their doors open longer.

As a result, the organizing committee is eager to extend the marketplace’s operation for months to come.

“The intention right now is to have it indefinitely,” said Brian Seelos, owner of the Italian Cafe and a member of the merchant group that has organized the event. The group has a conditional use permit from the city and permission to block off Main Street for another month.

But in September, they will have to go back to the City Council to ask for permission to continue the Thursday Night Marketplace for the next year and beyond. “The ultimate goal is to not discontinue it at all but it extend it onto other blocks,” said Kris Pustina, owner of Franky’s restaurant. “That is what we are hoping for, a whole downtown community event.”