ONANCOCK, VA - One week before the start of the Onancock Farmers Market's 14th summer season, the town council is scheduled to vote on the proposed relocation of the market across the street to the Queen Street parking lot.
Market organizers began working towards a more permanent location for their winter market in May of last year after the owner of their current location informed them that the building would be developed. Previously operating on an adjacent plot of private land to the existing winter market building, the summer market would also be moved.
"We are a significant economic driver to the downtown," Onancock Board Member Janet Fosque said. "We hear from so many people that they walk here, that they go shopping elsewhere, dining elsewhere, while they're downtown ... we're kind of an ambassador in that way."
Flyers at some local businesses encouraged community members who want to see the market stay downtown to attend the Onancock Town Council meeting on Monday evening.
This flyer caught George Brown's attention as a frequent market patron.
"I plan to come and show support," Brown said. "It [Onancock Farmers Market] makes for a wonderful Saturday morning ... it's just a reason to come into town."
The farmers market relocation is part of a larger Queen Street parking lot design project. An initial stakeholder meeting in the summer of 2024 included adjacent residential and commercial property owners. Meetings proceeded with fewer stakeholders to prepare a proposed lot design plan.
Property owners were included in another stakeholder meeting on the morning of April 24, when the Market initially expected the town council to vote on the move to the Queen Street lot.
During that meeting, some concerned residents shared their concerns about the design plan, specifically regarding drainage issues, parking and one-way traffic.
"A lot of the concerns didn't have much to do with the farmers market," Fosque said. "I think the impression was, in general, that the approval was being asked for the entire Queen Street design."
Town Council postponed its vote for the April 28 meeting to encourage more public comment before making a decision.
The flyer released by the Onancock Farmers Market addressed the design concerns, claiming that the market's relocation does not impact the Queen Street lot issues.
"The only question tonight, though, is the approval of the farmers market and their placement, their location in the lot," Fosque said.
Market Manager Theresa Van Dessel said keeping the market downtown is critical.
"One of the founding principles of the market was to support the town," Van Dessel said. "Especially to support the local downtown, to bring people in."
Market organizers tell WBOC that the upcoming summer market will continue operating at the existing location on Market Street, regardless of the town council's decision.
The Onancock Farmers Market's 14th summer season begins Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Update: The Onancock Town Council voted to approve the relocation of the farmers market to the Queen Street lot during its meeting on Monday.