Calabasas Farmers’ Market will return to Old Town

By Michael Picarella Acorn Staff Writer

The Calabasas Farmers’ Market is returning to its old location.

The former Old Town site had been used for almost 11 years until the market recently relocated to the future site of the Calabasas Civic Center, west of The Commons shopping center at the corner of Park Sorrento and Park Centre.

The market was moved from Old Town because it had been using the former site at no charge and was suddenly expected to pay rent, according to sources. Farmers’ Market manager Phyllis Power said the relocation came because of a rent increase. The new owner of the Old Town location had multiple concerns, according to Calabasas City Councilman Barry Groveman. Among the concerns were allegations that the market operated without insurance for eight months and that it claimed to be a nonprofit organization––but offered no written proof––while it collected money, Groveman said.

"It was clearly established that insurance was missing for at least eight months, there’s no evidence that there were any proper filings with the secretary of state and there’s no evidence of whether or not they were properly conducting a business in accordance with the rules and requirements that the state imposes and the city imposes," Groveman said.

Asked if the market was a nonprofit organization, Power said she wasn’t sure. She did admit to not having insurance at one time.

The market will be under new management when it returns to Old Town.

"It will be back to Old Town within a few weeks," Groveman said. "It will be bigger and better

. . . We’re going to try to completely rework our shuttle and trolley system to create a loop between Old Town and new town."

Additionally, the new manager Jennifer McCoy has managed many markets in Southern California.

"She operates a market that is very professional, has all the appropriate insurance and daily receipts printed out," Groveman said. "She’s been around for quite a while and operates some extraordinary markets."

Most importantly, the market will return to Old Town, where many residents preferred it.

"The market belongs and always belonged in Old Town," Groveman said. "That’s where it’s zoned. It’s not zoned anywhere else."

The city council last week voted to terminate the current market contract in less than 30 days. After that, McCoy will take over the operation back in Old Town.

"As I’ve said before, we’re not running a bakery," Groveman said. "This is a real city and we’re going to run it like a real city."