All,
Please see the press release below concerning the Main Street Farmer’s Market moving to the Historic 100 Block of Council Bluffs, right in our own backyard. This is a prime example of various organizations coming together to work with the City to promote good development that furthers our goal of increasing the quality of life in our Downtown through sustained, quality programming over an extended period of time.
I urge everyone to visit the inaugural event this Thursday from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. to meet and interact with not only the Market vendors but also the business within the 100 block who will be promoting their establishments.
Press Release
May 10, 2013
The Main Street Farmers Market (MSFM) announced today that it has been granted a special events permit by the City of Council Bluffs to conduct the farmers market on the sidewalks of the Historic 100 Block of W. Broadway. “We have been working closely with the City for several months to identify and resolve issues and develop procedures to hold the market in a more public venue” said Valerie Ware, chair of the farmers market committee. “We are so pleased with the support we have received from the City and together, we have taken a giant step forward in making the market a weekly community event. We want the market to be the place you meet up with friends, family and neighbors to reconnect.”
The market will open on Thursday, May 16th and run each Thursday night through September 26th. Market hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Main Street Farmers Market is an activity of MSCB Inc., a not-for-profit organization devoted to revitalizing downtown Council Bluffs. Joshua Barbee, Executive Director of MSCB Inc., reported “Moving the farmers market will be a catalyst for developing new events and activities to engage residents from nearby neighborhoods as well as all of Council Bluffs.”
Merchants located on the Historic 100 Block are supportive of the market move. Alice Johnson, owner of the newly opened Beauty Operators at 156 W. Broadway, said “This will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our business and services to potential new clients. We will have our door open wide each week and invite market shoppers in to visit and meet our staff.”
Parking for the market will be available on the streets and in the Vine Street parking lot located behind the Historic 100 Block. To access W. Broadway, patrons can use the “passageway” which will be a central focus to the market. “It’s a lovely, shady area that surely will turn into the place to gather. The passageway will be the check-out location for our new ‘Red Wagon’ program” said Ware. “Generous sponsors have provided the funds to purchase red wagons for market customers to borrow and use while shopping. This season, the market will be spread out farther and it may be more difficult for customers to get purchases to their car depending on where they are parked. Many market customers are senior citizens who could use a little help, but anyone who would like to use them can borrow one. We even bought the kind of wagon with sides so that children could ride in them safely.” Volunteers will handle the check out process and if there are enough volunteers available, they will escort customers to their cars and bring the wagon back so the customer won’t have to make the trip. There will be no charge to borrow a wagon, but there will be a “free will” donation jar.
Market vendors that have signed up to sell at the market include: Fortress, Birdsley Road Blueberries, Jody’s Natural Kitchen, Jayna’s Country Store & Gardens, Something Sweet, The Green Bowl Project, Fairebrushing Unlimited, Doe’s & Diva’s Inc., Oobagana, Three Bee Farms, Market & Orchard, Boondock Acres, Pudgy Fudgy Confectionaries Inc., Stephens Family Gardens, Elbert Farms, Glen & Joyce Kelley, Erik’s Enchiladas, Got Kettle Corn, and Sunderman Farm.
On-site Market Manager, Elizabeth Goodman, said “Patrons of the market should be prepared to wait until 5 p.m. and the clanging of the cow bell before vendors can sell products. This ensures customers have an equal opportunity to buy limited supply products and vendors have an equal opportunity to be set up and ready to sell each week. Early sales are prohibited.”
For More Information Contact:
Valerie Ware, MSFM Chair
500 Willow Ave, Suite 101
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
402-679-6366
mainstreetfarmersmarket@gmail.com
