Can you think of anything more small town America than the editor of the local newspaper getting his news about the farmers market while getting his hair clipped at the local barbershop by the head of the local chamber of commerce? I swear, if Opie had walked in barefoot with a PB&J on white bread, Normanl Rockwell would have risen from his grave to paint it.
Of course, it’s not a newspaper, it’s a blog, and Cutz Meridian isn’t a barbershop, it’s a “Salon and Gallery”, but that’s Wallingford you.
So what did we hear about the embattled Wallingford Farmers Market sitting in the chair at Cutz? We’ll tell ya: First, the parking lot behind Tully’s is out (word is that Moon Temple and the Medspa were concerned about lack of parking for their customers on Wednesdays, despite an offer from other local businesses with nearby lots to share their spots). School parking lots are out because of child safety issues and generally dealing with the city issues. So that leaves Meridian Park, in back of the Good Shepherd Center.
The setting is appropriately bucolic, but the market is sure to suffer from lack of walk-by traffic, plus the mud factor on rainy days.
It’s not for certain, though. Walt writes that he just found a note on his door…
from the Wallingford Farmers Market Steering Committee that seems to say that the Market will be at Meridian Park. They want comments by March 28, but it sounds like it’s a done deal.
Nope, not a done deal, but a very likely thing, we’re told.
(Photo of Camp Tomato in Meridian Park by Shawn McClung)
Solution: Pay Moon Temple and Medspa to put it in that Tully’s spot.
Compensate them for lost business, get it back in higher fees which should be offset by better sales due to better location.
Win. Win. Win.
I’m looking forward to it at the park. While I see the down-side due to the lack of visibility, I’m excited about the setting. Shopping for food and eating fruit under the shade of those trees seems wonderful. Can’t wait! And, thank you to everyone who worked hard to find a solution for the farmers’ market. Much appreciated.
It seems like moving it to Saturday and holding on the Lincoln school parking lot has many potential benefits and avoids the child safety issues.
Burke:
You need to take the edu off of your e-mail address. You are obviously not educated……………………….
Glad to hear that it’s not moving to a parking lot for local businesses, and that it won’t obstruct any streets. Parking and driving are challenging enough around 45th.
Good Shepard Center is ideal! The apple trees still produce fine apples and the Tilth Garden is right nearby. It’s the perfect setting for a ‘garden to market’ experience. Welcome to GSC/Meridian Park!
I’d encourage them to develop some memorable and ubiquitous signage so people can remember it’s there since it’s not going to be visible from the business district.
Well, it’s not as convenient as Wallignford Center, and the parking isn’t great for hauling one’s purchases to the car, but maybe this will allow for a bigger, expanded market with more offerings. Last year’s Farmer’s market was so watered down, it wasn’t even worth going! We missed the larger, more diverse market offerings of previous years, such as the Flyign Apron stand, with their gluten free offerings.
Sounds like a good location to me. Maybe some BIG signs on 50th street, which is the preferred traffic route for commuters heading home would attract new folks to the farmer’s market. Some of that cross-town traffic Ballard University.
I’m with Kristin. yay!
Hopefully there will be enhanced food fare – the overpriced quesadillas was not an option we wanted while at the Wafllingford center- if held at the Park, would love to see a taco truck stand there!!
Hey Wallyhood! Just how does one provide feedback/comments to “Wallingford Farmers Market Steering Committee “?
Yay! Very excited about having a market at this park. For many reasons, I think that this was the best option, hands-down (especially in contrast to Tully’s parking lot, which I felt was the lousiest choice of all.)
How do we give feedback to the steering committee? If this isn’t yet a “done deal,” let’s make it one. I’m looking forward to enjoying a market while surrounded by trees in a beautiful park, not in a cramped parking lot near congested streets. I will patronize the market every week if it’s in the park, and I’ve heard several other people say they will as well.
Locatin and hooplah will make it happen. The location is fine, as commented on already. But maybe put some big flags/banners,etc on 50th and 45th to let people know it is just down the street. And maybe some pre-opening hype such as window signs all along 45th, newspaper and TV coverage, etc.
I am with Cameron.
I will never go to Meridian Park. parkign is terrible. I have arthritis and cant walk far.
Why do folks in Wallingford want an over-priced pseudo-‘farmers’ market so bad? Do you feel ‘out’ of the granola-natural mainstream if you have to go and buy your fresh bread, fruit and veggies at QFC, one of Wallingford’s excellent bakeries, or at an actual Farmers Market where there are real choices (in the U-district, Ballard, Phinney, Capital Hill, etc)?
Don’t blame Tully’s and MedSpa for not wanting to lose business. And, anything at Meridian will last ONE year and then be washed away by too many rainy (aka: muddy) evenings and/or a lack of pedestrian traffic. Remember, as much as you want to see the sellers at the ‘farmers’ market as solely altruistic hunters and gatherers of organic and super-humane fare, they are only there to sell you a $5 “organic” pastry (aka: how they are making their living). If the buyers aren’t there, they will move on to the next parking lot offering them space.
But, since I know many will feel better if they can spend $7 on a bag of green beans, I’m hoping the market finds a place in Wallingford. Plus, I have to admit, sometimes I take the kids for a treat.
what about the closed 7-11 property by the PO? that has guaranteed traffic– the PO i sbusy!
or the lot by the defunct check cashin gplace? That pseudo brick coffee plac ewill not last and that also is central?
How about negotiating with the center to have 1/2 of size of last year?
I am nto against this market.. I do KNOW the site will not last.
Or how about the park with the tennis courts?
Or take it up to south Greenlake shores?
@Corliss rocks: the Wallingford Farmers Market is made up of the same vendors and operated by the same organization as the “real” choices you mention. It’s smaller, which is part of the problem people are trying to solve by moving it to a larger location.
For a good conversation about why buying directly from the producer has advantages over buying through large, corporate middlemen, see comments sections on previous Farmers Market posts (or Google “farmers market economic advantage”). For interesting note about the quality of Wallingford’s “excellent” bakeries, see comments on section on http://www.wallyhood.org/2010/04/la-boulangerie-bakery/.
@Walt (and others who want to send feedback), you can send mail to zach (at) cowswithguns.com, with the Neighborhood Farmers Market Association.
As a regular visitor to the park, I do not favor the market at Meridian Park. I happened to walk the area with a committee considering sites; the more I thought the less positive I became. Remember how long it takes to clean up and/or dry out the mud after the semi-annual Tilth sales?
The park area includes a playground and a school as well as a large picnic shelter. I am not sure about whether the uses are compatible with the market, or whether other uses will have to limit themselves during the market.
The ground is either mud or dust, since Parks does not have the resources (or interest?) to manage the field areas.
Please respond politely if possible. I am not a curmudgeon. I like veggies. Just pointing out some issues.
Whatever the plusses and minuses of Meridian Park may be, I’m just glad we still have a market! Maybe more options will open up for the following summer, but in the meantime I’m ready for it to open now. (have to admit, however, that with the array of shops, restaurants, etc. just across the sidewalk, the Ballard market is pretty sweet.)
What I liked about the old location was its proximity to other stores and activities, like the library, restaurants, etc., as well as being next to multiple bus stops. It felt pretty embedded in the neighborhood business district. Walking up to the market from lower Wallingford was a pleasant exercise in “bundling”, including stops at Bartell’s and QFC. Honestly, with the market out of sight and farther away it is less likely that I will use it as much as I did before. If the market was bigger, maybe, because of its new location, that might be more of an inducement.
Talk with GSC about using the paved parking lot rather than the vulnerable turf at the park.
Agree with other commenters that a more central location on the 44 was not possible. Can anyone say what happened to the proposal to use 46th?
I have heard that a number of the businesses on 45th are unhappy over the hit they will take. Seems Wednesdays have seen a notable uptick in business due to the market being right there. Any thoughts on how we might mitigate this?
Ironically, Rick, the Farmer’s Market was kicked out of Wallingford Center because some of the tenants there claimed it was bad for business.
Or spread i tout..
3 -5 sections in Chase lot
5 sections in QFC big lot
5-7 sections behind QFC lot on 46th
4-6 sections in Wallingford Center lot..
So my idea is to spread the market out along 45th.. thus keeping it in easy handy distance and not hidden away AND keeping the boom to business on 45th but understanding of the worries of the Wall. Ctr folks so they have more of their parking etc..maybe let soem of them have little outdoor booths.
As it is if it goes to Meridian i forecast it will die in less than 6 weeks.