By BECKY THOMAS
Staff reporter
Moving three times in three years could be described as a hassle.
For Cheney Farmers' Market leaders, it meant having to start over every summer.
After several years located on College Avenue downtown, the market moved last summer to a grassy area next to Eastern Washington University's Pence Union Building. At the time, leaders said the new location would bring a nicer atmosphere for shoppers and give vendors more room to set up their wares.
Now with the benefit of hindsight, market board president Kristen Silva said it wasn't the best decision.
“There's just not enough parking up there,” she said. “We needed a location where people could park and walk.”
The 2012 market opened last Tuesday at yet another new location, the City Hall parking lot at Second and D streets. Silva and several other vendors said they were happy with their new location, citing the visibility from First Street, shade from surrounding trees and ample parking in the neighborhood.
“It's been pretty good for the first day,” said vendor Rick Longoria, who was helping his friend Gabriel Lara of Lara Farms sell cherries, asparagus, onions and more. He said they planned to be at the market every week through the summer.
The new location also comes with a new market day and time. Vendors will set up shop every Tuesday afternoon from 2-7 p.m. Silva said the time change is aimed to draw the after-work crowd.
Jim and Ted Williamson of Williamson Farm were new to the Cheney Farmers' Market, and said they came from Tum Tum because the day and time worked with the other markets they visit. The Williamsons were selling vegetable and herb starts along with handmade sweaters.
“This works well for us because then our weekends are free,” Jim said.
Market leaders hope to secure a food vendor to encourage families to stick around, buy produce and crafts, eat dinner and listen to some live music.
“We'd like it to be a weekly gathering for families,” she said. “Get out, see your neighbors, support local farmers and craftspeople.”
Silva credited city employees Arlene Fisher and Paul Simmons for coordinating the location for the market. Finance department and municipal court employees who usually park in the lot will relocate their vehicles once a week throughout the summer.
The key to the market's success is community support, Silva said. With the frequent location changes and limited budget for marketing, that has been tough to build. But she said the visibility of the new location coupled with signage and word-of-mouth would help the market grow.
“There's always a need for people to help,” she added.
The market will be open every Tuesday afternoon through Sept. 18. For more information, visit http://www.cheneyfarmersmarket.com.
Becky Thomas can be reached at [email protected].
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