By Khalida Sarwari
It will be out with the old and in with the new at the Downtown Campbell Farmers Market. Starting July 15, visitors will notice the addition of an expanded section and a marked change in the layout of the booths.
Whereas the booths now face toward the street and against retailers and restaurants, the new layout will have the booths facing toward the businesses, allowing for a better flow of foot traffic and exposure to merchants. Visitors, merchants and vendors alike are expected to benefit from the new format.
“We’re going to make it more festive and have more seating in the sidewalk area, a place where people can visit and talk to merchants,” said Sonya Paz, president of the Downtown Campbell Business Association. “I think it’s a win-win in all regards.”
Paz is the owner of the Sonya Paz Gallery, which is one of seven businesses located in a section of downtown that will be included in the expansion of the farmers market. The building structure in the expanded section–located on Campbell Avenue between Second and Third streets–opened in 2007, eight years after the inception of the farmers market, and previously didn’t have the market on that end, Paz said. The building currently houses six other retail stores and eateries, including Frost Cupcake Factory, Aquis and Sonoma Chicken Coop. The expansion will also enable the Urban Village Farmers Market Association, the organizers of the Campbell Farmers Market, to add additional vendors and booths.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than it has been before,” Paz said.
An additional advantage of the new layout is that it opens up sidewalks, allowing for people to bring their pets to the farmers market. Street musicians will have more access for performance.
The revamped structure of the farmers market was brought on by some downtown merchants who felt the layout needed to undergo a change following the redevelopment of the area. In 2006, the area underwent a change from service-related businesses that closed on weekends to retailers that are open seven days a week. The concern for the merchants was that the placement of the booths didn’t allow for the retail businesses to get much visibility, Paz said. Business owners met early this year to develop a new layout concept.
The changes will go into effect on July 15.
The Campbell Farmers Market is held Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Changes to Downtown Campbell Farmers Market will be a ‘win-win’
