Jennifer McColm, founder of the Sunday farmers’ market in Pacific Palisades, envisions expanding the market to include Antioch Street between Via de la Paz and Swarthmore Avenue. ’We have a lot of farmers who would love to get into the market,’ McColm told the Pacific Palisades Community Council at last Thursday’s meeting. ‘The market here is very coveted; no one wants to give up their space.’ John Edwards, board president of Raw Inspiration, added that he believes a lot of residents want more options at the market, which has between 20 to 25 vendors and is located on Swarthmore between Sunset Boulevard and Monument Street. Raw Inspiration is a nonprofit organization that operates the market and 17 others in Southern California in conjunction with the company California Certified Farmers’ Markets. McColm and Edwards have not yet spoken to the business owners along Antioch about the possibility. ’We thought we should come to you at the beginning to talk to your members on how to proceed,’ Edwards told the Council. Council member Joyce Brunelle, who represents the Chamber of Commerce on the Council, said that the Chamber has not yet taken a stance because it wants the business owners on Antioch surveyed first. Brunelle added that she would like those business owners reimbursed for any additional expenses that result from the market being at that location. McColm agreed and said that business owners along Swarthmore are compensated for cleaning the streets. ’I know a lot of the businesses on Swarthmore love the market and say that it’s helped their Sunday business,’ McColm said. Brunelle asked what kind of items would be sold on Antioch, saying she doesn’t believe the community wants a flea market. McColm replied that the new vendors would sell organic foods and edible goods, similar to what is already provided at the market. ’Everything will be [selected] by me and be very special,’ McColm later told the Palisadian-Post. McColm envisions having 50 spaces on Antioch, but noted that one farmer typically takes two to three spaces. For a space, the vendors give 8 percent of their sales or pay a flat fee, depending on what is greater. The flat fee for a space is $25 for a farmer and $50 for a crafter. Council member Jack Allen, who lives on Bestor Boulevard near the current market, asked if McColm planned to provide additional parking. ’I am not envisioning lots of new people coming to the market ‘ and a lot of people walk to the market,’ McColm said. Neither Via de la Paz nor Swarthmore would be closed, so traffic could still flow on those streets. Council Chair Janet Turner directed the Council’s Land Use Committee to meet with McColm or Edwards to share any concerns. After the meeting, McColm told the Post that she planned to talk to the business owners on Antioch this week. ‘If everyone wants to do it, I would like to start before the spring,’ she said. Vendors at the farmers’ market expressed mixed feelings to the Post about the potential expansion. Martha Castaneda of Skyline Flowers said she thinks having additional vendors will be beneficial. Having worked at farmers’ markets in Palos Verdes, Calabasas, Studio City and Brentwood, Castaneda said she finds that bigger markets have more options and draw more business. However, another vendor, who did not wish to be named, said she is concerned there will not be enough variety: ‘If there is duplication, it does not serve the customers or the vendors at all.’ In addition, pedestrians will have to cross the heavily trafficked Sunset Boulevard to travel between the two sections of the market; therefore, she thinks many customers will simply shop on only one side. ’It doesn’t make any sense to have them so far apart,’ the vendor said.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
