Cape Farmers Market signs on to remain at mall site

The seasonal Cape Farmers Market looks to have found a permanent home after a move last year from the location it used for 27 years.

In 2014, the weekly market began operating behind West Park Mall instead of in the parking lot of the former Plaza Galleria retail center on Independence Street. The market moved to make way for construction of the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market store, which opened last week.

Now the farmers market, which is held from noon to 5 p.m. each Thursday from mid-April to late November, has signed a three-year contract to continue setting up in a parking lot behind the mall, said Marilyn Peters, the market's president and manager. Peters said the market's new location has worked out well because it has easier access for customers and there's more space, so the market was able to expand its produce offerings.

The market has 24 vendors weekly and, depending on the time of year, adds five or six more to feature more products, Peters said. Between 300 and 500 customers visit the market each week, according to previous estimates from market management.

The market will announce the first day of the 2015 season soon, Peters said.

Other local farmers markets include the Cape Riverfront Market, which operates seasonally Saturday mornings at 35 S. Spanish St. in Cape Girardeau, and the Jackson Farmers Market, held seasonally Tuesday afternoons at 733 W. Independence St. in Jackson.

eragan@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

35 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

733 W. Independence St., Jackson, Mo.