Farmers market move sparks vigorous debate

Heidi Brown, co-owner of Brown’s Grove Citrus and Produce, has seen a lot of change at the Sarasota Farmers Market.

She’s been a part of the market for 18 years. In that time, she’s seen the market relocate from and move back to its current location on Lemon Avenue. She’s seen the ownership change hands. And despite all that change, the market has persisted as a leading attraction in downtown Sarasota on Saturday mornings.

There’s one consistent throughline that has allowed the market to succeed even during times of uncertainty, she said. Which is why she said it’s a good idea to relocate a segment of the market from State Street to First Street to avoid the effects of construction.

“The bottom line is our customers — that is the heartbeat of the market,” Brown said. “If we don’t have those customers there, we’re not going to sell, and I’m not going to be in business.”

Brown was one of several vendors to express that sentiment during a Tuesday meeting of the Sarasota Farmers Market Board of Directors. Phil Pagano, executive director of the market, recently announced plans to move vendors from south of Main Street to Lemon Avenue beginning May 6.

“We’re not looking to move to First Street for the rest of our lives.” — Phil Pagano 

Merchants on State Street are searching for a way to accommodate the market in its current location, a plea they brought to Tuesday’s meeting. Pagano remained unconvinced of the market’s ability to function effectively during construction of The Mark, an 11-story condo at 1400 State St., citing safety and logistical concerns.

“We’re not looking to move to First Street for the rest of our lives,” Pagano said. “We’re looking to move until construction gets taken care of and we can get back there.”

But some vendors were receptive to a pitch from Wayne Ruben, owner of the commercial property in the ground floor of the State Street garage. Ruben asked the market to wait to see if its needs could be addressed while construction is going on — and that the move should only take place if it’s deemed necessary in the future.

Peter Burkard, a market board member, suggested the organization could make preparations as if it intended to move. His produce stand is located south of Main Street, and he’s already spoken with Pagano about where he would be stationed if the market moved to First Street. He suggested other vendors could do the same, and if the conditions warranted it, the market could swiftly relocate.

“If it doesn’t get bad enough — and clearly the merchants are willing to bend over backwards to keep it from getting that bad — then we don’t have to,” he said.

“There’s nothing happening immediately that should be a concern to any vendors.” — Marlon Brown 

Those in attendance expressed sympathy for State Street merchants in the wake of a potential relocation, but several speakers said the market needed to prioritize its own well-being. 

Terry Hart, another board member, highlighted the amount of money vendors had invested into the market since they assumed control of the event in 2009.

He said the potential negative side effects of construction — including the risk of debris falling from the building site — would jeopardize the work the vendors have put in. He said the board needed to act in the best interest of the markets and its patrons.

“(The market) belongs to one group, and that’s the community,” Hart said. “That’s who we have to serve every Saturday.”

After Tuesday’s meeting, the market board still hadn’t made a final decision on a move. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown said the city did not have an opinion regarding whether the market should stay, but he implored the board to take more time before confirming its plans.

“There’s nothing happening immediately that should be a concern to any vendors,” Brown said. “There’s no crane going up in May, June or July.”