Last week, St. Michaels Farmers Market manager Carol Bean was putting stamps on invitations to a celebration of the market’s 15th year, scheduled to open on April 20th. But when she went to the meeting of the town commissioners on Wednesday for the annual permit to hold the market in Muskrat Park, she was told to seek a new location for the market this season.
Town Manager Jean Weisman said that given the nature of the planned renovations for Muskrat Park, the Commissioners felt that it would be best for the farmers market to find a new location for the season. The renovations include electrical work, new sod and irrigation. Two grants are supporting the planned renovations which are scheduled to be complete in time for the town’s celebration of the War of 1812 later this year.
FRESHFarm Market Director Ann Yonkers founded the St. Michaels Farmers Market in 1998 with a handful of vendors in a bank parking lot. For the past 12 years, the market has been held for 3 hours on Saturday mornings in Muskrat Park.
Two years ago, the farmers market was held without issue during the complete renovation of the park. Bean said that the market moved from one end of the park to another throughout that season, but they were able to work with the town in spite of the large-scale construction. The design for that renovation placed the farmers market in the center of the park.
The Commissioners asked Bean and Yonkers to return on March 27th with a plan of alternative locations for the market. They encouraged the market to consider Back Creek off Chew St. as well as an empty parking lot on Fremont Street.
Bean said that visibility, being adjacent to foot traffic and access will drive any search for a new location, however she doesn’t understand why the market cannot simply work around the construction as it did in years past. Being told to find a new location this late in the game is a shock, and difficult, she said.
This isn’t the first time that the farmers market has been a point of controversy in the town. There is a group of business owners who believe that town merchants should be protected against unfair competition from non-taxpaying entities such as the non-profit farmers market.
This appears to be the same issue that comes up when the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum talks about wanting to serve food on its 18 acre campus.
In 2009, a community-wide ruckus ensued about the market in response to zoning changes, with studies and meetings and an ongoing heated debate. The commissioners ultimately voted to support the market in Muskrat Park due to broad citizen support. “I thought we were finished with all that”, said Bean, “but I guess not.”
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Barbara says
This is very short sighted on the part of the town council. I will now go to the Easton Market on Sat and do my errands and other shopping there. This is a lost opportunity for the local businesses. The good will the town creates by offering a multitude of opportunities to enhance the community is also lost.
John Marrah says
I am not sure I understand this issue. The town says that they are redoing Muskrat Park and need the market to move to another park in town while the park is being redone. More notice would have been a great idea in any case. I did not hear that the town was telling the market that they had to leave town. That would be sad. What am I missing? I would think that Hollis park would be a great option being on the water with great parking. I look forward to many years of shopping at the farmers market where ever it is in town.
Mike Estrella says
Hey John, try looking at it this way…..the town needs your slip starting in April, find another place for you big boat. By the way, do you still rent out the big boat for polical events?
jaime windon says
the potential relocation of the farmer’s market is obviously a concern for all residents of st. michaels, regardless of whether they deem it a massive blow or a minor inconvenience. however, i don’t understand the misdirected anger and, at times, inappropriate comments in this thread — i cringe each time i read a snarky or borderline slanderous ad hominem attack on a fellow neighbor. i personally hope that a compromise can be achieved that best serves both the town and the market, but maintain that nasty comments & personal criticisms solve nothing. furthermore, while i consider online forums to be a good place to exchange ideas, i firmly believe that nothing compares to respectful & valid public discourse on any issue that affects the community.
jaime windon
Carolyn Jaffe says
Altho’ we always appreciate new customers, the Easton Farmers Market vendors would hardly want customers because they couldn’t find or appreciate the St. Michaels FRESHFarm Market at a different location! This is not only a sad state for Carol Bean, et al — it’s absolutely gruesome news this close to opening day of the new season! My sympathy and best wishes go out to Carol, the vendors, and the customers in St. Michaels. cj
Tracey munson says
Great comment Carolyn. This late in game is hard for a change but I hope the St. michaels market continues. The best way for people to support is to shop it, wherever it lands. Is great for the town and the vendors who participate.
Gene says
I have to agree with Barbara. The town commissioners , and the several merchants who pushed the issue, really are short-sighted. The Famer’s Market is one of the charming elements that make up life in St. Michaels on a summer Saturday. It seems to me that the town should be sodding and working on elements to the Park during the off-season, rather than during prime use season. Is the Town planning on barring the weekly concerts too?
The few local merchants who make this an issue are likely bad business people who don’t know a gift horse when they see it. The Market is a local gathering spot for lots of people, residents and visitors alike, who are drawn into town just for the Market. Those of us who go to the Market, on the one day of the week the Market is in town, typically then go to other venues in town for breakfast, or for coffee, or to go shopping in other stores. The Market is like a magnet in the middle of town, amid all of the other merchants. Most of the local merchants do not compete with the few farmers and other sellers of food at the Farmer’s Market – the other merchants simply don’t sell the stuff sold at the Market.
The “tax issue” is a red herring being raised by these crabby merchants who simply don’t get what the Market is about and how the merchants actually benefit. Too bad – it’s another reason why so many storefronts on Talbot St. Are vacant. Gene
Gary Saluti says
I for one would like to know the names of the merchant’s who are behind this. Perhaps if we locals no longer frequented their businesses they’d get the message.
Jo says
I think that I am with you on this one. Who are the business owners who are so threatened by the Farmer’s Market? If you go down to the market on a Saturday morning, you will experience community spirit at its best. I don’t stop supporting local businesses because the market opens up, if anything I do more shopping in town that day than any other day so why are they so neurotic about the Farmers Market?
How about these business owners put themselves in the shoes of the market vendors – those farmers and small business owners who plan on being able to sell their farm and bakery products on one Saturday, rather than each week day, in St. Michaels – they have planned, planted and employed staff with an April opening in mind and NOW at this late date the town says ” Hey, sorry, we don’t want you here? That is a terrible message to send to send to other businesses!
I like the idea of Muskrat Park looking good for the 1812/13 celebrations but that is one season as opposed to 15 years of the market and many more to come. How short sighted can the town be? Shame on them!!!!!
Mary Kain says
I have a difficult time believing that a farmers market being held for 3 hours, once a week, will have an adverse effect on the
merchants in this town. If it does, then maybe they need to evaluate their business plans.
Bill Burton says
I guess there is no end to small minded people who think that by narrowly “protecting” their turf will ensure success. The great lesson of the 20th century is that a rising tide lifts all boats.
This is too bad and a loss for all the citizens of St Michaels and a gain for no one. How our elected officials got so far off base is amazing and extends from the dog catchers to all the branches a few miles to our West.
Peter L. Woicke says
Where is the business sense of our town commissioners? Organic food is higher priced than what you can buy in the local shops. People who want to pay for organic fresh food will certainly do so by going now to Easton. They will also do the rest of their shopping there, which results in more business being lost for local shops. Visitors highly value the market, those coming by boat or car. Our politicians talk about the need to create new jobs. Where is the job creation here?
Lisa Menditch says
Wouldn’t it be awe inspiring if our small town decided to become a benchmark for creating quality relationships within the community? Just one small town with the goal if finding solutions to these little straws that can so easily break our beloved camel’s back? If little St. Michaels is unable to figure out how to keep a simple, seasonal farmers market that it’s residents and visitors appears to value, how can we ever expect our nation’s leaders to find quality answers to truly troubling problems? It makes me sad to consider this.
Jo says
You are so right, Lisa. There has to be a good solution to this issue. Why has the town not started the work in a timely fashion so that it can support the market and the historical event? We have mild winters here and I am sure the necessary work could have been done by now, expect perhaps new sod being set. Let’s work together for a solution here, St. Michaels.
David Jeffery says
If this account is accurate, the Commisioners of St. Michaels have made a decision that is, to put it kindly, unfortunate.
1. The decision could not have been made at a worse time–just before the Farmer’ Market is to open for the season.
2. Work at Muskrat Park could be just as easily be done after the Market closes for the season.
3. The suggested relocation sites are unsuitable: poor parking for patrons and suppliers, distant from foot traffic, distant from other shopping opportnities.
4. Attacks the spirit of the town during the 200th anniversary celebration of the defense of St. Michaels against British attack. This year we attack ourselves?
Ellen says
This is truly unbelievable!! I want my fresh produce, bakery items, cheeses, etc available to me in Muscrat Park. Have the town commissiioners not heard of the nation-wide movement to encourage all to eat fresh and naturally grown fruits and vegetables, especially in these tough economic times? Not everyone has the time, inclination or ability to grow their own produce; Fresh Farms provides and fill that void.
We live in a democracy, don’t we? The town commissioners’ action is a slap in the face to all the people of St Michaels, all the people who frequest Fresh Farms in St Michaels, all Marylanders and all Americans. Did we fight the British in the War of 1812 only to have the St Michaels town commissioners take away our freedom and right to choose where we shop and how we shop? I say NO!
Jeff Staley says
The lack of advance notice to all the people who participate in the farmer’s market seems needlessly disruptive. I doubt this new electrical work is a sudden discovery and it is unfortunate it wasn’t included in the previous extensive renovations to the park. Most certainly, adding irrigation and re-sodding the park shouldn’t be a reason for disrupting an entire season of farmer’s markets.
Lots of people, my wife and I included, place a high value on the Farmer’s Market and it enhances the quality of life in St. Michaels.
Jeff and Diane Staley
Gary Saluti says
This is yet another reason why St. Michael’s is far from the resort destination it could and should be. We had the pleasure of visiting several coastal Maine towns this past fall and were simply amazed at the wonderful Farmer’s Markets, shops and restaurants that populated even the smallest seaside resort. This short-sightedness on the part of the existing merchants and the commissioners will eventually relegate St. Michael’s to a minor stop on the way to other more exciting and dynamic shore towns. The Hampton’s of the Chesapeake Bay…yeah right.
Melisa says
Really? Astounding. I can only imagine that our ‘elected’ officials never visit the Market. It not only serves to bring ‘local’ food but it brings out lots of locals, it is looked forward to by everyone I know and I live right in the heart of St. Michaels. The locals will now just trot off to Easton on Saturday mornings for their wonderful organic and fresh produce and baked goods. It needs to be in Muskrat Park, a lovely spot used for naught. Shame on you our brave thinkers!
Jane says
I live in the Bay 100 and come to St, Michaels every Saturday during the market’s season specifically to shop there. I can’t think of another shop in town that is a competitor to the fresh organic produce offered at the market. I patronize other stores in town for what they do best, as well. Disrupting, or even worse shuttering, the market is not going to result in my shopping else where in St. Michael’s for what the market offers–since no one does. I’ll just go a few miles more up the road. There is great concern both locally and across the nation about the loss of small independent farms and farmer. This decision appears to fly in the face of that concern. SAVE THE FARMER’s MARKET!!
J Henson says
It’s really sad that the Town Commissioners can’t provide the farmer’s market at Muskrat Park a four hour window once a week.
Four hours, once a week. How inconvenient, or detrimental to any renovation work, can that possibly be?
What purpose will Muskrat Park serve if it is not allowed to be used as a social meeting place? As much as fresh produce, baked goods and the like are sold there, it is truly a place for locals to meet and greet on a Saturday morning. Perhaps if some of the merchants on Talbot Street sold the same merchandise, flowers, etc., as offered there, it would be a valid argument. But as hard as I look, I don’t see any stores offering these items, just vacant storefronts. Come on Commissioners, get your collective heads out of the sand and see just exactly what the market is…a valuable asset!
Julie says
I can’t imagine what I would add to the thoughtful, true and ‘kind’ comments I already see here. I just want it known that I also feel it is ridiculous to disrupt a viable, hugely popular service to the community for locals (who are generally not well- served in the shops along Talbot Street–except to take their own visitors there for shopping sprees…which does happen frequently) and tourists alike. The St. Michaels commissioners should be embracing and promoting innovation and healthy alternatives; not treating them like they are an annoyance.
Katie Cricks says
I simply cannot comprehend why the town Commissioners are making the Farmer’s Market controversial. Muskrat Park is a charming location, central to the town and all of the town merchants. The Market is a destination for locals and tourists and it brings folks into town for the day. My husband and I NEVER miss the market. The Farmer’s Market is more than just a market, it is a social event…we have met many wonderful friends through attending the market. We start every Saturday with breakfast in town, walk to the market and then after the market we stroll up and down Talbot Street and patronize the local merchants…often times staying long enough to have lunch before we return home. The Commissioners should carefully consider the importance of the Market for the entire community, businesses and residents alike. Markets such as this one are what make small towns wonderful.
Jo says
Well said Katie! So many of the regular customers who come to the market will make Easton their Saturday morning haunt. No more coffee at the Blue Crab, no strolling along Talbot Street and spotting just the right gift item in one of the shop windows. Certainly not stopping on our way through to Easton to eat lunch or have a drink at one of the local bars and restaurants. Let’s see how dead Talbot Street is on a Saturday morning without the Farmers Market. Yawn.
Chris L says
I am a long time tourist of St Michaels and I have visited the market on a number so occasions. I feel I must tell you how appalled I am at the things that get the residents Panties in a Bunch! I mean really people is the relocation of the Farmers Market during renovations a BIG DEAL? The Farmers Market will still reside in Town just in a different location. So…. To get Fresh produce you may need to walk another block. Get over it!
Jo says
This is not about walking an extra block. It is about local business interests trying to exclude competition and the town administration not planning ahead adequately to sustain an event that is important to so many of its residents. This could have been avoided with some thought and foresight. The plans to celebrate 1812/3 must have been in the works for some time. Why leave it this late to upgrade the park when they knew that the Farmer’s Market would be back in April?
Mike Estrella says
I wonder if Chris L is Chris Lyon who rents space from one of the commissioners who has always seemed to be anti-local farmers market? If this is the case perhaps his panties in a bunch comment is slightly biased given his association with one of the commissioners.
Chris L says
Mike,
First let me assure you, I do not rent or own any space in St Michaels. I do however visit your town frequently. If your TRUE mission/purpose is to keep the FRESHFARMERs market in town, Perhaps your time and energy would be best served by helping the Market find alternative suitable location. Then we all can continue to enjoy the benefits of the fresh Market.
All of this negative publicity in NO way sheds a possitive light on St Michaels which makes me very sad!
J. Henson says
“Chris L”, the Farmers Market was held at Muskrat Park during the previous, complete renovation. The vendors were able to move out of the way of any construction there then, as they would be able to now. However, parking in the immediate area was available, and from what I understand, there is nowhere else in town with as much parking to accommodate both the vendors (who must bring their vehicles full of produce, etc.) and visitors. Additionally, the park is central to many residents and folks staying in the downtown area who prefer to walk to get their produce. Would one of the public parking lots be available for the four hour time slot on a Saturday morning? Doubtful, for then “Chris L” would be inconvenienced during his visit to the town, and suddenly it would be a BIG DEAL… for him. Certainly none of the Town Commissioners have stepped up and offered up any viable solutions or locations, nor will they in all probability. It’s obvious they have an agenda. So while we appreciate you visiting St. Michaels and we all hope you continue to do so, if you were a resident full or part-time, surely you would feel differently.
Mike Quattrone says
The growing popularity for Farmers Markets around the country is well documented; according to the USDA website, the number of markets have more than doubled nationally in the past ten years. When you combine this with increased consumer interest in the “grow and eat local” trend, it makes tremendous sense for St. Michaels to make its Farmers Market a three season focal point for locals and tourists. Rather than marginalize the Market, it would be a smarter move by the Town Commisioners to consider it an asset to collaborate with and build around.
Sarah R says
As someone who is aware of the planning for the 1812/13 Town Celebration I feel like I need to speak up here. I think people should be aware that the town has just learnd that they have received the grants that will allow the park to be completely renovated–including underground electrical lines, irrigation system, etc. As far as I am aware, the towns decision to relocate the market for the year has nothing to do with any business issues from the past. It’s just that the renovaton work is going to be far more extensive then ever before and would make it impossible for anyone to be in the park. We do need to consder the safety of our community. I too, love spending Saturday mornings at the market and I am looking forward to doing the same at the new location this year!
Mike says
I wonder is Sarah R isn’t related in some way to Chris L above.
Jane Hopkinson says
I strongly agree that the Farmers Market should be allowed to continue in Muskrat Park. Judging from the response to this article, this is a widespread view. The most effective way to convince the town to reverse its decision is for everyone who’s written to the Talbot Spy to write a handwritten letter (much more effective than an email) to each of the commissioners and send it to the following address.
The commissioners are: Michael Vlahovich, Joanne Clark, Ann Borders, Tad duPont and Joyce Harrod. The Town Hall mailing address is P O Box 206, St. Michaels, MD 21663. The next meeting to discuss this is on March 27th and it might be best to get your letters in before then.
Lynne Johnson says
This controversy has been on the docket of the Town Merchants since the market first started, as I recall. This wonderful little market is a huge asset to this town. After all, St. Michaels is not overwhelmed with clean, beautiful, fresh-fragrant, walking-distance grocery purveyors, so what on earth are the “Council Folk” and Park-Improvement curmudgeons thinking? It kind of sounds like “Drive out of town for everything else, and come here to drink?”
Ann Yonkers says
Thanks to everyone in town for your wonderful support of and enthusiasm for the St Michaels FRESHFARM Market. We are working hard to keep the St Michaels FRESHFARM Market in the Muskrat Park this season. It is really gratifying to hear so many of you who treasure the role the market has played for 15 years in enlivening Muskrat Park from May through mid October each year and in creating “a new town square” where locals and tourists can gather and visit. There are several unfortunate aspects of this decision and how it was made. First our St Michaels market supported the grant proposal for the park renovation without being alerted that this renovation work would then be used as justification for moving the market in 2013. Secondly, the Commissioners did not communicate with, call nor consult with Carol Bean or myself and try to work with us to reach an amenable solution. Third, the Commissioners announced their vote without notice, obliging us to seek an alternative site one month before we are opening on April 20. Finally, the suggested sites are not viable for numerous reasons. The best solution is the one we had to come up with on the spot. Keep the market in Muskrat Park and, when and if the renovation work obliges us to move, we adapt or simply transfer the market to Muskrat Park parking lot which can accommodate everyone in the market. Why is keeping the market in Muskrat Park important? Our experience shows moving a market strikes a crippling blow. Action items: join us at the Commissioner meeting on March 27th to support the continuation of the SM market in the park, come to the Pot Pie Picnic and Fish Fry on Saturday, April 6 from 2 to 5 PM befitting the St Michaels’ market and celebrating 15 years of roots in the community. The invites will be emailed this week so send your emails to me, [email protected]
or Carol Bean at [email protected]
to be included. Finally write or call your Commissioners and let them hear your voices. Thank you again for this wonderful outpouring of support.
Chester Burnett says
Tip for the season: Get a bunch of business cards printed, reading something on the order of : “I visit your business when I come to the Saturday Farmers Market.” Print them in different colors. Pass them out to vendors one color a week, for them to give to customers. Ask the customers to pass on the cards to merchants when they pay for their purchases. Let the merchants know the cards represent the traction of the market.
Joanne Greenage-Coppage says
Ladies & gentlemen of St Michaels, I do not live in Talbot County , but do shop there. Let me give you some good old Caroline County advice.
You all elected these commissioners and you all can unelect them. I am assuming that they were elected to do the peoples business in the best way to serve the people. If the majority of the people want the market in Muscrat Park , then that is where it should be. This country has been just about ruined by the good old boy system, those with power thinking they know what is best for everyone else. Not so. Just
saying.
TONY PASCAL says
Please have Carol Bean call or email me about a possible site for the Farmer’s Market.
Tony Pascal
207-317-6626
[email protected]
Bill Webber says
While I am certainly not a local, I have visited and spent enough time down in St Michaels to observe a few things and some of the subtle nuances of the town. If only for this season due to the renovations in Muskrat Park, could it be possibly considered that the Farmers Market be held in the lower parking lot at the CBMM? Plenty of space and parking, plenty of traffic–not only from locals, but tourists as well. It can be held at the lower end of the lot so there would be plenty of visibility from people coming and going and not interfere with parking for the museum. Plenty of signage as well along the entrance and the footpath leading up to the museum entrance. Just a thought…
Tracey Munson, CBMM's VP of Communications says
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) would have loved to have helped the Farmer’s Market through this challenge. We held an emergency meeting, in fact, to discuss what we could do. Unfortunately, however, the current zoning of the Museum prohibits us from helping the Farmer’s Market. We also have several Saturday festivals planned, that begin at 10am and require all our parking and lawn facilities for our own guests, not to mention regular visitors on non-event weekends. We hear there may be some alternatives offered in Town, however, and we hope that they will all be explored.
Thanks again for your comment and suggestion!
Sandy Correa Woolfolk says
I grew up in St. Michaels and although I live in Cambridge, I work part time at a retail store in S.M. Every Saturday and during the summer when school is closed. I love St. Michaels, and always will, but the town council and officials need to do something quick to fill the empty store fronts and promote all the business and special events possible to encourage visitors to drive down Rt. 33 into town. All winter, the downtown area resembled a ghost town……the farmers market draws people from all over the Eastern Shore. I have friends who live in Cambridge who go to St. michaels mainly for the market. This is absurd and reminds me of the year the Board of Education decided the carnival should not be at the school property. Common sense says, keep the market close to downtown where residents, visitors, walkers and bike riders can enjoy the quaintness and beauty of Muskrat Park. I’m sure it’s a power play and it doesn’t need to be that way. Keep it simple….and as my Grandmother from Tilghman Island used to say….”if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it…leave it be”.
Nancy Burton says
The St Michaels Farmer’s Market is part of our tradition on Sat. mornings. Our friends & family come for the weekend & we all go to market together. We chose to live here because of the family friendly community? It would not be Sat. morning if we could not take our granddaughter to Market Market as she calls it. The quality of the vendors is unsurpassed & we cannot get that quality anywhere else!! We plan our meals around the bounty that St Michaels Market has to offer. We don’t want to have to go to Easton!
Mary Sue Traynelis says
How would taking away fresh food possibly improve St. Michaels? It’s only a few hours on Saturday morning, when some of the town is asleep or slowly moving.
It’s something boaters like to go to when they want to have a change from other prepared food for much of their trips. It does not take them away from the grocery stores or restaurants they must frequent along the journey. Very few people grow fresh herbs or veggies on the boat.
Those of us who live here & grow things still enjoy going down to pick an unusual treat that is out of our expertise or normal range. Items that are not bought in large quantities won’t fit in the typical store/restaurant financial calculation.
Keep the Farmers Market in St. Michaels.
Laverne Webb says
The Farmer’s Market is a St. Michaels treasure, and its unique location is a powerful draw to the market and to shopping in the town. As a resident committed to buying locally for all possible, I so appreciate the coming of spring and summer to shop at the Farmer’s Market and also buy from those wonderful local farmers. Here we find the freshest and finest foods, and we also find our friends and community, along with tourists and visitors, enjoying one of the most beautiful places on the Chesapeake Bay. This Farmer’s Market, on the harbor, distinguishes St. Michaels. Let’s find a solution that keeps this wonderful tradition in place. Laverne Webb