Broadway has purchased a permanent site for its growing Farmers Market, Town Manager Kyle O’Brien announced at the February council meeting.
The lot on Main Street, which is currently vacant, will be spruced up with a retaining wall, paved drive-in areas for vendors, a pavilion and landscaping.
The land was purchased from Farmers and Merchant’s Bank for $27,500. Improvements costing $175,000 will be financed by the town and a $100,000 USDA grant for rural business enterprise, O’Brien said.
The 300 foot by 80 foot lot, which includes portions of an eroding rocky hillside, is oddly-shaped and not conducive to commercial development, O’Brien said. “It was an eyesore and the odds were not good that anyone was ever going to do something with it. We can clean it up, make it a permanent home for the farmer’s market and add it to our green space.”
Excavation will start in March, with construction slated to be finalized in time for the market’s spring opening, O’Brien said.
“The farmers market vendors are very excited about having a permanent home. The purchase of the “rock lot” by the town shows the support that we have from the community for continued success of the Broadway Farmers Market,” emailed Melinda Armentrout, who co-manages the market with her husband Kent.
The market had been operating in the parking lot of Dr. Donald Rellins’ office.
“We’re very grateful to the Rellinses for the use of their property,” said Armentrout. “We have enjoyed growth and success at that location.”
A grand opening celebration is planned for late May or early June.
