Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
An online petition has been started at change.org to keep Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisans Market downtown Warsaw.
As of about 3 p.m. Monday, it had 58 verified signatures.
According to the petition, which was started by Kaylee Pass, “As a small business owner who started my business at this very farmers market, I can personally attest to how vital this event has been in helping local businesses take root and grow. The Warsaw Farmers Market is more than just a place to purchase fresh, local produce, it is a community hub that fosters interaction, builds relationships and strengthens our local economy.
“The potential relocation of this market from downtown Warsaw threatens not only the success of individual vendors but also the collective spirit of our community. It is an event that brings together residents from all walks of life, allowing us to support local farmers and artisans while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the city center. The central location between Buffalo Street and Center adds to its accessibility, making it convenient for customers to drop by and support our small businesses.”
The petition states moving the market away from this prime location could result in diminished foot traffic and negatively impact downtown Warsaw. It urges local authorities to consider the broader implications of relocating the Warsaw Farmers Market.
The full petition can be found on change.or under “Keep the Warsaw Farmers Market Downtown” (https://www.change.org/p/keep-the-warsaw-farmers-market-downtown?source_location=local_page&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAK%2BbRB0AAAAAaZN7jUJxFVthMWI0NDVmMw%3D%3D)
The future of the farmers market being located downtown Warsaw came into question at the Feb. 6 Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting when Lisa Hawley, representing the Kosciusko County Farmers & Artisan Market, requested road closures for Center Street, between Lake and Buffalo streets, for every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from April 18 to Oct. 31. The market would run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buffalo Street, between Center and Market streets, also would be closed if they had at least five or six cars for Cars & Coffee plus vendors.
Hawley indicated the businesses were OK with the closings and the farmers market helped them last year. Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Main Street Warsaw Executive Director Rob Parker said the farmers market was “a part of the vision that we have for Warsaw 2030 Plan, plus the Cultural Arts (District).” He said Hawley and her team do a great job of bringing people to the downtown.
However, City Councilwoman Diane Quance said some of the merchants on Buffalo Street “have contacted us and said it impedes their businesses.” Parker said of the businesses they talked to, they hadn’t heard that.
Quance said during the city council’s strategic planning session earlier that week, it came out people were frustrated with the road closures every Saturday, particularly with the construction at Lake City Bank keeping southbound Indiana Street closed.
While Board of Works member George Clemens said he had been hearing “a lot of flack” on the farmers market, Mayor Jeff Grose said he hadn’t heard from anyone on the farmers market until the council’s strategic planning session.
City Councilman Juergen Voss and Mike Klondaris also attended the Board of Works meeting to express concerns about the farmers market being downtown Warsaw.
The Board of Works tabled the road closure request by a vote of 2 to 1 until their March 6 meeting so in the meantime all the stakeholders could work on a solution. Quance and Clemens voted in favor of tabling the request while Grose opposed.
The issue also sparked a bit of discussion on the Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisans Market Facebook page.
