This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisans Market in downtown Warsaw will temporarily move to Center Lake this Saturday.
The move is happening to accommodate the Freedom Fest parade, which is set for 10 a.m. and is part of three days of local activities celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Lisa Hawley, one of the co-directors of the market, said vendors will be located in what she calls the shoehorn, where the old city parks office was located.
Some city officials have previously floated the idea of moving the market permanently to somewhere near Center Lake, and Hawley said this week’s temporary shift will serve as a test for that idea.
“We’ll try it and see how it works,” Hawley said.
She added, “We’ll have to get together afterwards to discuss how it went and if it’s something feasible.”
Meanwhile, the market saw a significant change earlier last month after city officials chose to no longer close off Buffalo Street as part of the downtown market.
Hawley said sales have been good for vendors on Center Street, but not a lot of shoppers are venturing into the City Hall parking lot, where overflow vendors have been located — even though there is abundant signage directing shoppers into the parking lot.
Overall, they had about 40 vendors participating recently.
“I put 13 or 14 up in the (parking lot), and they were saying that they did not do very well,” she said.
Hawley has been a strong supporter of the market in the downtown because, in part, it provides a boost to downtown merchants.
Falling Rabbit, which specializes in a wide variety of whiskey and other drinks, has been participating in the market (through the city’s existing DORA policy) and selling Mimosas on Saturday mornings.
That would not happen if the move to the park, she pointed out.
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
