There’s a new lease on life at the Gig Harbor Farmers Market. No small part of that has to do with the market’s move this season to Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center.
For over a decade the market was in a cramped park and ride sandwiched between state Route 16 and Kimball Drive. Vendor space was limited, parking and disabled access was difficult and being next to a teeming freeway wasn’t the most conducive spot to shop for produce.
In April, market manager Dale Schultz moved the operation to Uptown Gig Harbor on Point Fosdick Drive. The market takes over a parking lot to the south of the Galaxy Theatres every Saturday. A green belt shields the market from nearby Route 16.
“I didn’t like going there as a customer,” Purdy resident Sis Lavigne said of the Kimball Drive location. She came back to the market after its move to Uptown this year. Not only did Lavigne like the move to Uptown, she started her own business there four weeks ago – the Purdy Pickle Company – selling pickled carrots, beets, onions and cucumbers.
The old location was limited to 52 vendors. The Uptown location has room for 80. Schultz said the number usually averages 70-75. The move has been good for the permanent businesses at Uptown, Schultz said. He’s just renewed the agreement with the shopping complex for next year.
“The businesses here love us. They have some of their biggest gross sales on Saturdays,” Schultz said.
On a recent Saturday, a man twirled a lasso around himself and two willing young girls while a band serenaded a small crowd gathered on the edge of several rows of vendors. Entrepreneurs were selling beef, honey, salmon and a variety of crafts.
Windy Payne, owner of Love of Spice, was operating her booth where she sells her spice and salt blends. She’s a veteran of the Kimball location and says the volume of customers has tripled and sales have risen since the move.
Donna White, co-owner of Morgan Creek Farm, was at the market selling tomatoes, squash and kale along with flowers and veggie starts. She says the move has been well received with her customers. However, she hasn’t noticed an increase in business. She places the blame on the weather and the economy.
White’s small offering of vegetables paled to nearby Ayala Family Farms, which was doing a brisk business. Unlike other local produce-heavy markets, this one has comparatively few produce sellers.
Schultz limits fresh produce vendors to little more than Yakima-based Ayala. “I got enough stuff so everyone’s happy,” he said. Schultz cited the “cherry wars” and other competitive price wars that occur at the downtown Tacoma farmers market for limiting vendor profits.
“Competition is fine, but my goal is to bring fresh produce to Gig Harbor and let the farmer make some bucks. We have a lot of happy vendors,” Schultz said.
Schultz, a farmer himself, sells tomatoes, lavender, cucumbers, lettuce and plant starts at the market.
Only two food stalls sell meals at the market. That’s intentional, Schultz said, citing competitive concerns with the permanent restaurants at Uptown.
Another market is held noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays at Skansie Brothers Park. Both markets run through September.
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541 craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com
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