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Pinellas Park farmer’s market opens Oct. 13
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
| Article published on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 |
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PINELLAS PARK – The city’s first venture into the farmer’s market business bears fruit on Monday, Oct. 13, when about 20 vendors set up shop at Town Square Plaza Park.
Debra A. Rose, library and recreation services administrator, said the new market at 5010 81st Ave. will be open Mondays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Rose was instrumental in getting the market off the ground after Councilman Rick Butler first came up with the idea about two years ago. She recently launched the new neighborhood garden at the entrance of Freedom Lake Park off 49th Street.
Jason Webb of Pinellas Park is marketing manager of the Pinellas Park market. He also promotes farmer’s markets in Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, Dunedin and at the Pinellas County Botanical Gardens in Largo.
Webb comes from a vendor background. His family has been in the business since 1947.
“I believe that the location for the Pinellas Park operation is the best there is,” Webb said. “The park is not only centrally located in the city, but it is in the center of the county as well.”
The market opens with a live band to provide entertainment and about 20 vendors of vegetables and other goods. There is plenty of room for expansion at the plaza park that is located just minutes from major roads such as Park Boulevard, 66th Street and 49th Street.
“Eventually I’d like to see artists and other major vendors set up shop in Pinellas Park,” Webb said.
It is not unusual for farmer’s markets to open on weekdays. The one in St. Pete Beach operates on Wednesdays and Dunedin is open on Fridays. The largest of them all, St. Petersburg’s, is open on Saturdays and has a long waiting list of people who want to sell their wares.
Wagon Wheel Flea Market on Park Boulevard near the Seminole line is open on Wednesdays in addition to its busy weekend hours.
Webb predicts that the Pinellas Park farmer’s market will be successful, though he said it may never reach the proportions of the one in St. Petersburg. He said the plaza park location because of its size will allow growth without having to relocate at a later date.
Introductory rates of $15 a day and $50 a month for space at the Pinellas Park market are available by calling Webb at 488-5649. Call 541-0895 for more information on the market itself.
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Article published on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
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