Many people were confused
when they arrrived in downtown Georgetown and found that the Farmers' Market had changed sides of the street. Some people wondered if the market was smaller.The background is that the farmers always preferred the west side of Main Street because in the summer their produce is in the shade and doesn't spoil.
However, shopkeepers on the east side complained that they were disadvantaged by the Market focusing on the west side.
After much discussion on this issue the Board of Directors of the Downtown Georgetown Business Improvement Area (BIA) decided that they would try the Market on the east side during the fall months to see how that would work. In September the Market moved across the median on a trial basis to see how the produce faired and how the Market in general was affected. The move would also test the theory that businesses on the east side reap some benefit if the market is on their side of the street.
After a couple of weeks it has become apparent that the move has not been well received. The first issue is that in the cool September mornings the shady side of the street is quite cool for the first 3 hours for the vendors to endure. The second thing is that the market is also cool for the first 2 hours for the market patrons, many of whom have complained.
It is also clear that certain areas are too congested such as around Heather's Bakery.
The location of the Market was raised again at this week's BIA Board Meeting and it was decided that the Market should move back to the west side as soon as the permits can be changed.
Personally I think that the right decision has been made.
The Farmer's have to be happy or they could just as easily move to other market areas out of Downtown Georgetown. Secondly, the patrons need to be happy if the market is to be successful.
I think that businesses like Heather's have adapted to the Market by putting tables out in the parking space in front of their business. It would add to the Market if more businesses brought their wares out onto the street during the market hours rather than staying closed for most of the
Market hours.
Do you have any suggestions for improving upon this already highly successful Farmer's Market.
I would agree that the businesses downtown will only gain what they put into the market. Here are a large number of people coming downtown, looking to spend money, and some businesses actually close? Just bizarre. Set up booths outside, have greeters for your store with a special shirt on identifying your business, do something to be noticed.
ReplyDeleteAn idea also could be to let the stores open a booth on the east side of the street and have a parallel market selling their wares. If there are enough booths people will walk by and might just buy something. There would be some cost involved for the stores (an employee being outside, set up/take down) but it could work out nicely.
Another option is to use the east side to have booths for local charities and non-profit groups. They certainly could use the exposure and would help draw people to that side as well.
Very nicely written Jane. I have asked the vendors and they have adapted to the other side of the street. However we did make the change to see if more traffic could help our stores on the east side of the street. But if you are not open during market hours what advantage is this? It was a good exercise to address concerns for businesses on that side of the street, but now I would like to see the market returned to the west side and end any further discussions at our BIA meetings. It is successful and should stay on the west side for good.
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