By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Pearl Market in Columbus is looking for new farmer participants. Formerly the Lynn and Pearl Alley Markets, the Pearl Market is under new management, which includes a full-time market manager, part-time promotions coordinator and much needed additional resources to breathe a new life into a stagnate market and foster its growth and development.
Set in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Columbus, Pearl Market is uniquely situated for people to purchase baked goods, specialty foods and drinks, health and beauty products and more. The market’s primary objective is to develop a merchant mix that reflects the rich cultural diversity of central Ohio while encouraging customers to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and other goods.
Within a five-minute walk of the market are more than 41,000 office workers, 1,400 hotel rooms and 600 occupied condos and apartments. Rudimentary traffic counts estimate between 2,000-3,000 people walk through the market a day.
The statistics show great potential for increasing the traffic count by creating a nice, welcoming environment with good products, and spreading the word through better promotions and marketing.
According to research conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers, the average daytime employee spends an average of $1,500 per year on lunch and retail goods and services.
Growers will notice several positive changes for 2008 in the downtown farmers’ market scene. Operations and promotions have been assumed by Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, a private organization representing approximately 550 property owners in the downtown core dedicated to improving the cleanliness, safety and vibrancy of downtown.
“Noticeable changes include reduced fees, more services including full-time staff, part-time staff and seasonable staff, more produce vendors, greater promotions and marketing, altered site layout, increased traffic and stronger collaborations with like-minded organizations,” said Kacey Campbell, promotions coordinate for Capital Crossroads.
Campbell said that the average number of daily vendors in the past has been 20-25 with a total of around 40-45 for the season with around six farmer-producers each day. Based on self-reported sales slips by the merchant portion of the market last year, the merchant’s market along brought in more than $65,000. And those number have trended upward each year, said Campbell.
“As farmers’ markets flourish around the city, state, and country, we feel that downtown Columbus should not be an exception,” said Adam Schroeder, the new market manager. “Our goal is to create the necessary environment to grow the market into a major attraction in downtown, link the downtown employees and residents with local, fresh produce, and generate a profitable direct marketing channel for growers.”
The Pearl Market will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 through Oct. 31.
It is located in Pearl Alley, one block north of the Ohio Statehouse on Broad Street. In addition to produce, merchants such as bakers, jewelers, woodworkers and food establishments will sell their goods, adding product variety and depth for shoppers.
Enrollment for vendors is an open process and continues throughout the year.
The fee is $70 per month for vendors participating two days a week and $50 per month for once a week vendors. Seasonal rates are also available.
In addition, market promotions, advertising, retail coaching and support are provided at no cost. Loans are also available to those who qualify to help run and support their business.
Interested growers should contact Schroeder, for an application and additional information. Schroeder may be reached at 614-645-5061 or AESchroeder@SIDservices.com |
