Galt hopes farmers market boosts downtown business

In a few months, Galt residents will be able to shop for juicy peaches and plump watermelons outdoors on warm, summer Sunday mornings.

The city is ripe for a farmers market, city officials say. If it's a success, they hope it will transform the sagging downtown business district.

The Galt City Council voted 4-1 last week to create the market for a six-week trial run beginning next May. The market, which is the brainchild of Mayor Tim Raboy, will start out at the city-owned parking lot next to Burger King on Caroline Avenue and could move to downtown the following year.

"People have been asking for a farmers market for as long as I've been on the council," Raboy said. "The goal has always been to help downtown."

Councilwoman Barbara Payne voted against the resolution because she wanted the market to be downtown from the beginning.

Raboy said the location, near Highway 99, is good because of its high visibility and easy access. The market will move downtown once the city works out a lease with Union Pacific railroad for a right-of-way that can be used for downtown market parking, he said. Downtown businesses would welcome a market, although most businesses in the district are closed Sunday morning.

"I think it will be a nice event and worth a try to make more business for the area," said Kathy McClarrinon, an employee of Spaans Cookies. "At least people will see that we're here."

Galt farmers' market details

What: Certified California-grown farmers' market.
When: Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on May 5.
Where: City-owned parking lot on Caroline Avenue and Fairway Drive.
— News-Sentinel staff.

Julia Smith, the manager of Vintage Interiors, said a downtown market would be a better experience than a market in a parking lot on a freeway frontage road.

"It's a nicer atmosphere (downtown)," she said. "It's a nicer place to hang out."

The market will be on Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Sunday is a relaxing day," Raboy said. "Most people don't have to work. You can take your family out to the market. I just think it's a great day to do it."

Lodi has a farmers market on Thursday evenings during the summer. Stockton has a market on Sunday mornings.

Galt's flea market sells some produce, but the merchants sell bulk products they buy from large distributors. This new enterprise in Galt will be a certified California-grown farmers market with the actual farmers selling their produce, according to Carlos Dutra, who will manage the market.

"It helps farmers keep farming," said Dutra, who has been managing farmers markets in Stockton and Tracy for 22 years. "It promotes sustainability in agriculture."

Initially about 20 farmers will sell at the Galt market, Dutra said.

The city has invested $7,980 dollars to attract the farmers, Parks and Recreation Director Boyce Jefferies said. After the first six weeks, the merchants should be economically sustainable and the event will run through September at no cost to the city, Jefferies said.

Contact reporter Matt Brown at mattb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Cogito wrote on Oct 24, 2007 7:34 PM:

" I think that both proposed sites for the market are a bad idea. The only logical site is the flea market grounds. Its got the space for plenty of vendors and parking. Then, all you need is some ambiance. So you'll need a country band, a taco truck, and a couple of kegs on ice in the back of a pickup truck. City council here I come! "

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