GRANVILLE – The 2nd Annual Granville Farmers Market is nearing the end of the season. Having begun on July 1, the Granville Farmers Market has been every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Gran-Val Scoop. The last two markets are scheduled for August 26 and September 2.
The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. schedule in 2018 was time a time change from last year’s market which kicked off at Noon. However, Jess Ripley, one of the managers of the Granville Farmer’s Market, believed the 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this year had a negative effect on the market. Ripley didn’t see much foot traffic during those two hours, especially because the Gran-Val Scoop doesn’t open until Noon.
A number of different vendors have been a part of the Granville Farmer’s Market this summer. (Photo from Granville Farmer’s Market)
“We definitely saw a decrease with customers by changing the time,” said Ripley. “We really haven’t received the local support we were hoping to.”
At the start of this year’s farmer’s market, there were around 20 vendors. Currently, Ripley noted there are approximately 10 vendors that are regularly setting up shop at the market. Those vendors include Ray’s Family Farm, Mountain Orchard, Riversong Farm, and Windy Crest Farm.
Due to a lack of local support, the future of the market is going to be contingent on the vendors.
“It’s going to depend on what the vendors have to say and what they want to do,” said Ripley.
If there ends up being enough support from vendors, Ripley hopes to keep the market going.
“I want to continue doing it because I really feel that it’s a weird market, it’s a relaxed market, but it’s a gradual market,” said Ripley. “It’s never going to be huge, crazy, it’s nice and relaxing, it’s not a market that I dread going to.”
Last year, the Granville Farmers Market was on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, went from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and kicked off on May 14, Mother’s Day. Along with Nicole Berndt, who works at the Gran-Val Scoop and co-manages the market with Ripley, they both felt that the market would be a benefit for Granville residents. The closest local produce and grocery stores for Granville residents are in Southwick and Westfield.
