Commercial Street farmers market to reopen

Carolyn Elder, chairwoman of the Commercial Club committee charged with running the market, said the new market will feature crafts in addition to produce and canned foods.

“We want to broaden the scope and make it a little bit of a trading place,” she said. “We’re just trying to attract as many people as we can right now.”

The market, 321 E. Commercial St., is part of a revitalization effort on Commercial Street, a once bustling district that has struggled to thrive for at least 40 years.

Commercial Street’s redevelopment is a focus of City Council and private developers, who have spent about $1.8 million on the street in the last year alone, according to Urban Districts Alliance research.

The city’s redevelopment plan hinges on infusing the street with live music venues. In that spirit, UDA held the inaugural C-Street Jam on Aug. 19, a daylong music festival with food vendors.

C-Street Market also is using music to jumpstart its season.

The Blues Society of the Ozarks will provide music on opening day to show support for the market and area revitalization efforts. Spokeswoman Kathleen Tepiew said the Blues Society doesn’t plan to provide music at the market on a regular basis.

Carl Baggett of Arrowhead Orchards, a farm west of Nixa, was one of two regular vendors last year. He’ll be there for opening day and said he would like to be there regularly.

However, he wants to see how many vendors and customers come to the market before committing for the rest of the season.

Elder has 13 vendors set for the market’s opening thus far, with room for 30. Her goal is to have four or five regulars every time the market is open.

The market operated on a $1,000 budget last year, but Elder didn’t have budget figures for this year.

C-Street Market

The farmers market is part of a revitalization effort on Commercial Street, where private developers have spent about $1.8 million in the last year.

Where: 321 E. Commercial St.

When: Aug. 27 through October or November

Who: Up to 30 vendors

Hours: 1–5 p.m. Aug. 27; 7 a.m.–2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 4–8 p.m. on Fridays

Organizer: Commercial Club

Featured Vendors

• KanHackIt Farm, artisan breads, watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet corn, okra, zucchini, yellow squash

• Arrowhead Orchards, pears, peaches, tomatoes, new potatoes

• C.F. Meadows, mushrooms

• Murphy’s Orchard, fruit

• American Pasturage, grass-fed beef and lamb, pasture-raised veal, free-range hen and duck eggs

• The Farm of Hard Knocks, eggs

• Judy Ellen’s Fine Arts, crafts and canvas paintings

• Lizard’s Crafts & American Indian Goods, crafts

• Henry’s Iris, flower bulbs

• Worm Masters, natural fertilizer

• Jensen Gardens, floral bouquets

• Lori Padgett, ornamental grass and peat pots

• Silver Wolf Acres, lye soaps and bath and beauty products