Proposed changes might boost drooping Galt Market

Galt city leaders hope some proposed changes will attract new vendors and lift sagging sales at the Galt Market.

The proposals — which will be up for a City Council vote Aug. 5 — include: leaving the city-run market open until 3:30 p.m., an hour-and-a-half later than the current time; lowering vendor rental fees on Tuesdays, but raising them on Wednesdays and adding a produce row at the Tuesday market.

"We're trying to make it more customer-friendly," said Armando Solis, the city's market manager. "We're trying to make it easy for people to get what they want on both days."

The proposals were formed following two recent meetings between city officials and vendors to discuss the market's dropoff in business.

Galt relies on revenue from the market to cover most of its parks and recreation department costs. The city plans to spend roughly $1.9 million on parks and recreation in each of the next two fiscal years.

Fees for youth sports programs have recently gone up, at least partly due to the market's expected revenue declines. City leaders predict revenue will be off $500,000 in each of the next two fiscal years.

Pat McCandless, who sells garden ornaments, calendars, gift bags and other items at the market on Tuesdays, said she's happy to hear about the proposed rent reduction.

Proposed changes to the Galt Market

Hours of operation would change from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A produce row would be included on Tuesdays. Now only the Wednesday market has a produce row.

Lower vendor space rental fees on Tuesdays from $40 to $35 for vendors who book a full month.

Lower first-time vendor rental fees from $25 to $20.

Raise vendor space rental fees on Wednesday from $27 to $30 for vendors who book a full month. Revenue from the increase would be used for additional market advertising.

Source: City of Galt

"That would be wonderful," the vendor said. "Anything would help, because we're not making any money right now. We're just holding out and hoping things will turn around."

The fee would drop from $40 per day per space to $35 per day per space for Tuesday vendors who book with the market for a full month. Wednesday's market attracts retail sellers while Tuesday has traditionally attracted wholesale sellers.

Wednesday fees would jump from $27 to $30 for vendors who book a full month. Revenue from the increase would be used for additional market advertising.

Solis said a fee reduction is only planned on Tuesdays because vendor bookings have tailed off on that day, but have remained strong on Wednesdays.

Vendor capacity is down to about 85 percent on Tuesdays, versus 92 percent on Wednesdays, he said.

There are 886 total rental spaces at the market.

The weak economy plus high gas prices and competition from the Internet have all hurt the market, particularly its wholesale sellors, city officials and vendors said.

More than 100 vendor spaces are frequently open on Tuesdays at the market.

Just a couple years ago, the market had a vendor waiting list with dozens of names on it.

Solis said leaving the market open later in the afternoon would attract more parents and school children, and hopefully result in higher sales.

The city's parks and recreation committee approved the proposals 5-0 at a recent meeting.

Included in the changes is the option for city officials to designate a "Garage Sale Area" at the Tuesday market, something that could cause concern among vendors.

McCandless noted many Tuesday vendors want to keep that day for new goods only.

The market will start looking "real junky" otherwise, she said.

Galt City Councilman Tim Raboy, who along with Councilman Don Haines attended the recent vendor meetings, predicted the proposals won't be approved without debate.

"We aren't going to make everyone happy," he said.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.-com.

Reader Feedback

middleman wrote on Jul 27, 2008 1:59 PM:

" Per AB3773 Galt is the ONLY city in the State that can run a Market. ALL the money earned from that market MUST go to Parks & Rec programs ($180,000 per yr PAYS for Galt's aquatic center operations). So, Galt can use that land to run a Market, or turn it ALL into a park. If it does ANYTHING else with it . . . it goes BACK to the State of Calif., NOT the city of Galt. Oh, and if the Market goes away, so do most of Galt's parks and recreation programs. The market is now in decline, the economy stinks, Elk Grove is building a super mall and Galt's retail businesses will probably also start to decline. What a mess. Current council are pinning Galt's future on a Twin Cities "strip-mall". By the way everywhere else in the US they are bulldozing strip malls, so good luck with that one. "

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galt citizen wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:03 PM:

" I like the idea of moving the walmart on that land. Not sure if its feasible though. There's some law on the books in regards how the land can be used. John95632, you should run for city council. All of your blogs are exactly how all of us feel in this town. I agree that if you have a row for garage sale items, it will be junkie. I used to only go on Tuesday because Wed's were called "junk day" for a reason. "

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t&c wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Galt needs to get rid of the declining flea market and build their super Walmart on that site. The city could not only make millions on the land sale, but the revenues from Walmart will at least double the flea market. But, of course, those who are skimming pure, free cash from the market, both vendors and city officials, probably wouldn't like that idea. "

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Feisty wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:59 AM:

" I have grown up at the flea markets when my partents were selling antiques and collectibles,Galt included, I haven't a use for a flea market that is full of new plastic imports. I'd rather see good old fashioned quality junk. "

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T&C wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:49 AM:

" The Galt flea market has seen its heyday and now with many of the old-time regulars gone, there's not much left for merchandise except cheap Chinese and Mexican junk and 5 times more produce vendors that're needed. The Galt market has runs its course and will have to find better marketing to attract customers who can't even afford fuel to drive there from across town. "

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john95632 wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:22 AM:

" If you lower the vendor space rentals who is going to pay for the clean up crews, extra police officers for those days?

It's not a Flea Market, it's a junk market or a Very Large Yard Sale.

What a waste. "

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T & C wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:55 AM:

" Are school children expected to "Spend their allowances at the Galt Flea Market?" Doesn't sound like that will boost sales very much! "

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T & C wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:53 AM:

" I was very disappointed the last time I went to the Galt Flea Market! I went to EVERY BOOTH looking for some "Fleas" and no one had any! There should be a disclaimer sign at all entrances warning..."No fleas are for sale"! I felt ripped off! "

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