Commission Weighs Farmers Market Plan

Farmers may be able to sell their fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers in the city again if the Planning Commission accepts a permit today to allow a certified farmers market in the Pavilions parking lot.

The proposed market would operate from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays in the southeast corner of the lot on Dana Point Harbor Drive. It would be near restaurants and other merchants, who worry about inadequate parking.

“I am going to have problems with my guests,” said Masood Ghalami, owner of Ristorante Ferrantelli at the shopping center. “They are going to have to park in the street and with people in the farmers market, that also will be taken. I’m going to lose my business.”

The City Council closed down the La Plaza Center market in January after retailers complained for six months about parking, noise and sanitation problems.

“It was very successful at the other site as far as the public went. They enjoyed fresh vegetables and flowers,” said Ed Knight, director of community development. “The concern was with local businesses and what was happening to them.”

June Cooper, owner of June’s Blooms in La Plaza Center, said the market’s wholesale prices undercut her business by as much as 40%, forcing her to sublease her shop and fire employees to make up the loss.

“We lost all of our customers,” Cooper said. “If the city had not gotten the flowers out of there, we would have closed up.”

She said she opposes the relocation of the market because it will continue to hurt business regardless of its whereabouts.

Other merchants support the market and said it will increase business at Pavilions.

“I think it’d be great,” said Nancy McAttee, owner of Good Times Sports in the shopping center. “It’ll bring some people who otherwise would not come to the area.”

The planning commission will hold a public hearing at 7 tonight in Council Chambers and will decide whether to approve the new market.