Quick Take
The downtown Santa Cruz farmers market’s planned move from its current location to a new spot up the street has been postponed until June due to logistical issues.
The downtown Santa Cruz farmers market’s final day at its current parking lot – and home of more than 30 years – was set for this Wednesday. But the big move to a temporary location down the street has been postponed by two weeks.
The city needs more time to sort out logistical issues related to the street closure, market director Nesh Dhillon told Lookout. “There are so many departments involved because we’re shutting the street down. There are safety issues that need to be ironed out a bit more,” he said.
The weekly market will remain at the familiar site through the end of the month. The first day at the new location is set for June 4.
On that day, the market will move from the parking lot on Cedar Street between Lincoln and Cathcart streets – known as Lot 4 – to Cedar Street between Walnut Avenue and Church Street. It will continue half a block west on Church Street, making an “L” shape by the Cruzio building and stopping before it reaches Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. The market will also take over the parking lot next to the downtown Santa Cruz Public Libraries branch, known as Lot 16.
The move comes as the downtown mixed-use library project prepares to break ground on Lot 4 in June, forcing the market to move elsewhere before construction gets underway.
A celebration of the market’s long tenure at the current site will be held as scheduled on Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. Hundreds of photos taken over the years will be on display at the market, and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History will record shoppers’ memories. Live music will play throughout the afternoon.
“We have really put our time in here,” said the market in an email to its subscribers. “Place is important and the downtown market has been tied to this particular block of the downtown corridor for over 30 years. … This parking lot has been a home.”
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