Farmers market to continue on Butte Street

The Glenn County Farmers Market will continue another year at its Butte Street location in historic downtown Willows.

The City Council Tuesday approved the closure of Butte Street for five hours each Wednesday, despite having some concern that it occasionally cuts off access to local businesses that are open at the same time.

The market previously operated at Memorial Park, but the recurring bird nuisance prompted organizers to move the weekly event downtown in 2011.

Kandi Manhart, executive director, said the downtown location meets the criteria of the University of California at Davis, whose small farm program is used as a guideline for the local markets.

Orland's is held on Saturdays at Library Park.

Willows Hardware owner Baird Weinrich, who would prefer the market move to Central Park or elsewhere, said he was willing to try another year at its present location to get Farmers Market vendors and customers to respect his customer parking.

"We put out signs and it helps," he said Tuesday. "I guess we will just have to put out more signs."

City officials said they are proud sponsors of the Farmers Market, but ask Manhart to work more closely to see that the businesses are not negatively impacted.

Although the Willows Walk Mall parking lot was considered an option, Manhart said it is just not a big enough area to handle the event.

For the most part, the Butte Street businesses are pleased with the location.

Edith Newton, of Salon Bella, said the Farmers Market has not only brought her new clients, but that her regular customers love that the market is there.

Jenn Anderson of Willows Dance said she thought the Farmers Market was a boon to local businesses because of the foot traffic that otherwise would not be there.

She said many of her students and their parents purchase fresh, local goods at the event, before and after classes.

"On several occasions, I have asked my dance parents if parking had ever been an issue and they assured me it had not," said Anderson, who also works for Tri-County Newspapers. "I hope to see our Certified Farmers Market continue to operate downtown in its present location."

Vendors also want to keep the location.

Becky Bernstein, of Willows Creek Produce, said moving the market again could cause community members to become discouraged.

"The Glenn County Certified Farmers Market is something special we have brought to our community, and I would like to see it keep growing with vendors and customers alike," she said.

The market will run from June through October.

CONTACT Susan Meeker at 934-6800 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.