Farmer's market reopens with big dreams

PLATTSBURGH | The Plattsburgh Farmers' and Crafters Market unofficially started 30 years ago. "Believe it or not it started out with a few people in tents in Trinity Park," said Julie Baughn, manager and vice president of the Plattsburgh Farmers' and Crafters Market. The farmer's market moved to the pavilion on Durkee Street, where it has been officially running for the past 21 to 22 years. Due to construction, the farmer's market has since moved from its home on Durkee street to a new space provided by the City of Plattsburgh on Green Street. "We've just been telling people Green Street Harbor Side," Baughn said on the new location of the farmer's market. The farmer's market will now take residence in an old municipal building that has been renovated, with the help of a $250,000 grant awarded to the city. "One end was an office and the other end I believe they stored, I don't even know, cables and stuff in, I'm not sure," Baughn said. The city used the grant they were awarded to paint the inside and outside of the building, sealed the concrete, a wall containing asbestos was properly removed, windows were repaired, an additional overhead door was installed, the roof was fixed, and overhead fans were installed. The city even added a water fountain to the building for future use once the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The new building also has the advantage of being a little bit longer and wider than the space on Durkee Street. "It's a lot more room, inside and outside," Baughn went on to mention that there won't be a need to fight over parking spaces anymore. For Baughn, this bigger space is a nice change as the farmer's market was outgrowing their Durkee Street space. "As the manager, I know what I'm up against every single year trying to squeeze people down in the space we had on Durkee Street. It wasn't working, it wasn't. The first year I took over I had almost 50 vendors but I had to rotate them cause I couldn't get all 50 vendors in that small space, I have almost 40 this year and I can get them all," Baughn explained. A bigger space isn't the only thing the city has provided to the farmer's market, they're also allowing the farmer's market to use their bathroom trailer, due to the lack of bathrooms at their new location. A handicap port-a-potty will be available onsite as well. Baughn stated that she will be cleaning, "Saturday mornings I'm there at 6:30 every morning and I clean everything." Baughn went on to add, "We will do everything we can, and supposed to, and should to make sure it stays safe down there." The farmer's market is taking measures to make sure everyone stays safe. Vendors will be required to wear masks and have hand sanitizer at their booths, barriers have been placed in between the vendor stations as well to ensure safety. Masks are still encouraged to be worn while at the farmer's market. While COVID-19 has limited the events that can take place, Baughn is working with what she has been given. There will be an outside kid's station set up with games by the picnic area, and an indoor kid's station with space for coloring and reading. Baughn is also hoping to hold a cornhole tournament in July. Food trucks are encouraged to join in on the fun with the new laws in place. "Cause of the new food truck law we are encouraging any food trucks to come down that want to come down," said Baughn. The farmer's market will be open every Saturday starting May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. "This year is not going to be so easy cause I can't plan big things, but next year, hopefully, I'll be able to plan huge things," stated Baughn.

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Farmer's market reopens with big dreams

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