Farmers’ market manager calls relocation a success

The farmers’ market in Calabasas relocated to a temporary site after 11 years at its former location in Old Town. After two weekends, market manager Phyllis Power said the new site is working out great.

Due to a rent change proposal at the Old Town location, the farmers’ market had to leave. The city offered the future civic center site, west of The Commons shopping center at the corner of Park Sorrento and Park Centre, across the street from the current library.

The new site is bigger and has more parking than the previous farmers’ market location.

"It’s working out just beautifully and I’m thrilled," Power said. "I think the city of Calabasas has been wonderful to help us to acquire this spot for the market."

With the additional space at the civic site location, the vendors, Power said, can spread out.

"They were pretty crowded down at the other location," Power said. "Now, instead of one tent, they can have two."

The response to the new location seems to have been positive from both the vendors and the public. The only negative feedback from shoppers, Power said, has to do with the gravel surface of the lot.

"The ground is hard," Power said. "We were afraid that there was going to be a lot of dust, but there isn’t. So that’s a positive."

Power said some people thought the operation looked more like a farmers’ market at its new location.

Asked if attendance has been affected due to the site change, Power answered no. Attendance has been up, up, up, she said.

The farmers’ market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. It offers an assortment of fresh produce, flowers, food and wine.

For more information, call Power at (818) 340-1854.

—Michael Picarella