Trade Days On The Way

By Rosa Lavender

The Kerrville Daily Times Published June 11, 2002

The Kerr County Market Association won approval Monday from Kerr County commissioners to establish a market for fresh produce, homemade food items, art works and crafts on the courthouse grounds twice each month beginning in July. Kerrville does not have a central centerpiece for people to market garden goods and crafts.

Association member Lu Ann Anderson said: "You can find farmers markets at about every crossroad of major highways, big cities and small cities, but not in Kerrville". Anderson said the proposed market would be a great opportunity to bring more people downtown to shop in other businesses and would compliment other activities on the grounds.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Buster Baldwin said Mindy Wendele, representing the downtown businesses, called him and said she was 110 percent in favor of the idea. Anderson said the Texas Department of Agriculture would add the Kerrville market to its "Go Texan Program" as a certified public market. "There is support out there to make this market a success." Anderson said.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Jonathan Letz expressed support for the market, but said if it grew too big it might have to be moved to the Hill Country Youth Exhibit Center. "Trash generated by the market is my only concern" Letz said.

County facilities manager Glenn Holekamp said the association safely could put several bags of trash in the county's dumpster since trash pickup was each Monday morning, but expressed concern about the lack of restrooms for market visitors and vendors.

"The event will not be the kind of thing for customers to stay at all day."Anderson said. "And we hope to work out an arrangement with the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center for our vendors and artists to use their restrooms."

Question of liability insurance seemed to be a sticking point. Anderson assured the court that research showed since the association was not incorporated, liability insurance was not an issue. "We want to start out small and be very high quality, with an average of 10 or so vendors." Anderson said. Anderson also said she did not see the market as competition for commercial businesses in the area, and said it would complement existing attractions in the area.

Commissioners unanimously approved creation of the market through the end of 2002, but said they would like to evaluate the project after the first year. Markets will be the second and fourth Saturdays beginning in July. Anderson said the group was not sure if the first market would be July 6 to take advantage of the July 4th weekend crowds or wait until July 13, the second Saturday. Sales will be limited to fresh produce, handmade craft items and homemade food. No alcohol will be sold, and only limited food concessions will be allowed. No used items, live animals, commercially manufactured goods or any items purchased for the purposed of resale will be allowed. "This will be a high-quality, fun and profitable event for the center of the city." Anderson said. "We will do everything we possibly can to solve any problems and address issues you have."

For more information on the Kerr County Market Days, call 830-895-7962 or check its Web site at http://www.kerrmarketdays.org

Editorial from the Kerrville Daily Times

Published June 11, 2002

The approval Monday of Kerr County Market Days for the courthouse square is a progressive move by commissioners to bring more tourists and economic development to the city's center. Giving local farmers and home gardeners a venue for selling their high-quality produce in season and local artists and crafters a place to sell works is something that will benefit the entire community.

The Kerr County Market Association leaders have developed a plan for the twice-monthly event and have pledged to provide a quality, well-managed marketplace. Rules have been established to prevent it from developing into a "flea market" atmosphere on the courthouse grounds. Several groups that already use the courthouse grounds for fund-raising events also are likely to welcome market goers to their respective events. More shoppers could increase their sales. A quality event to draw more people to the downtown area also will benefit downtown merchants. Communities around the state who host farmer's markets and small arts and crafts events benefit from the additional sales tax revenues. Local residents have the opportunity to purchase the locally produced fruit and vegetables, homemade foodstuffs and unique crafts themselves.

We see Monday's decision by commissioners as a step forward in bringing more people into our community to shop, and an even bigger opportunity for local people with special talents. Now may be the time to dig out those old family recipes for jams, jellies, breads, pies, pickles and other goodies, or dust off the sewing machine, find the crochet hooks or other craft- making equipment and get started.