Downtown market may sell art in addition to produce

Having an open-air market in downtown Cape Girardeau is as much about growing healthy families as it is about growing local businesses, said participants at a public forum Tuesday.

About 75 people attended the forum at the First Presbyterian Church, sponsored by Old Town Cape and facilitated by Charlie Hopper, marketing specialist with the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

About 25 of those present were interested in being vendors at the Saturday riverfront market now under consideration.

With Hopper's help, participants worked in small groups to make lists of why they wanted a new market downtown and what should be available for purchase there. Consideration was also given to other kinds of activities and entertainment that could accompany the new market.

"We'll answer a lot of questions you won't have to find out by fighting for three years and then have the thing fall on its face," Hopper said. "It's just a much easier way to do it to engage you guys from the beginning."

Vendors said while the Cape Girardeau farmers market held on Thursdays in the Plaza Galleria parking lot is popular, they need more opportunities to sell their products in this area.

"Yes, it is successful, but it's unavailable to most people who work," said Micah Janzow, who sells eggs, beef, pork and vegetables at the Thursday market.

Having a market downtown would provide economic opportunities for vendors and also benefit surrounding businesses, Hopper said.

Three different studies from Iowa State University, the Project for Public Spaces and The New Economics Foundation all say there is a 60 percent increase at local businesses the day the market is open, he said.

These studies also say there is an 80 percent increase in the economic impact, because the money that's collected in that market stays in that community, Hopper said.

"Farmers markets are the ultimate incubator for Missouri businesses. They grow jobs," he said. "It's an ultimate microcosm of the economy. There's no better place to start businesses. You can grow and learn from one another."

Potential customers who attended the forum said it is important to them to have locally grown food available. In addition to being healthy, farm market products don't have a lot of excess packaging or have to be transported long distances, which also promotes sustainability, Hopper said.

Several people expressed their support for accepting electronic benefit transfer cards to allow customers to use food stamps to purchase eligible items at the market.

"Markets that have EBT typically double their sales within two years," said Hopper. With a downtown location, the market would also be accessible to nearby residents who may not have cars, he said. Others said it would be important to have a bus stop at the market. Hooper said some towns offer a farm market shuttle.

Opinions differed on whether art should be part of the market.

Former art professor at Southeast Missouri State University Ed Smith said offering art at the new market could hurt the 12 to 15 art galleries in the city and their First Friday with the Arts efforts.

"Art at the farmers market is totally out of place," Smith said.

The market could provide an outlet for artists who are just starting out and aren't established enough to be featured in a gallery, said Steve Vitale.

"The market would give some of our children and some of our students an outlet, where they just can't walk into an art facility and say, ‘Will you hang this up?'" he said.

Arts, crafts and jewelry were items participants said they'd like to see at the market in addition to produce, meats, cheeses, coffee, canned goods, baked goods, soaps, flowers and plants. Demonstrations in both the arts and cooking were also suggested.

"A lot of these decisions, when a location is arrived upon, will depend on the space you have available," Hopper said.

Following Tuesday's forum, Hopper said it will be time for the community to get into "task mode" if they hope to get the market open this spring.

A committee will need to be selected to manage the market. This group will be charged with putting together a budget, setting vendor fees and recruiting vendors and customers, he said.

There are 38 agencies that regulate what is sold at farmers markets, however, individual vendors are responsible for knowing the safety guidelines related to their products, Hopper said.

Due to the large turnout Hopper said he felt confident the new market could be organized in time to open in May.

"There's just a ton of people here tonight for a town this size," he said.

Missouri is now home to about 200 farmers markets, with about 20 of those open year-round.

There has been about a 10 percent increase in the number of markets each year over the past several years, Hopper said.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

235 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO