FARMINGTON – A decline in customers has forced the winter farmers market to close its doors; the final market will be this Saturday, Jan. 25 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmington Grange Hall on Bridge Street.
As the days get colder each fall the market has always moved inside, setting up shop at the Grange from November to April. The off season understandably brings fewer vendors than the summertime market that runs from May to October in the parking lot of the District Court House on Main Street, but this season has been particularly slow according to head organizer Bonnie Clark. The market has six regular vendors that sell eggs, meat, baked goods and some crafts; that number would sometimes fall to two or three vendors during the Christmas craft fair season.
“Customers get discouraged. I think everyone is feeling a little discouraged,” Clark said.
The weekly market has seen fewer and fewer customers, Clark said, and the ones that do come primarily come for the social aspect.
Clark said for as much as people voice their commitment to buying local food, shoppers aren’t showing up. Between the costs of advertising and heating the Grange Hall, the group decided to close early this year. They hope to reopen next year and aim to focus on more advertising to bring in more customers.
“I think the vendors are ready. Everyone wants a little break before the growing season,” Clark said.
Sorry to hear this. Wish they could keep it going in a place already heating the building and close to town.
Fortunately the online farmer’s market makes it possible to continue supporting local food producers without having to heat a building.
Working do you have a link for the online market ?
Here’s the link to the Western Maine Market:
https://harvesttomarket.com/farmers-market/Western-Maine-Market
How sad, but if people are not going I guess that this is the best decision. I have gone, but parking is difficult and sometimes I forget its happening.
Thank you Eileen.
It’s unfortunate that this has to be. I’m not often in Farmington on the days the market is open, but even when I am I tend to forget about it since I don’t usually drive by the building. Hopefully more advertising and signage will help in the future. And, like S said, if a space could be found that is already in use/heated that would help out.