Ryan Carter
A weekend farmers' market in downtown Glendale began Sunday, with a
dozen vendors offering everything from Asian vegetables to
strawberries.
It started small, to ensure a decent day of sales. From 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. vendors offered produce in the 200 block of North Brand
Boulevard. But after Sunday, organizers hope it will be a year-round
boon for weekend business in the downtown district.
"There's a lot of businesses that are closed on Sundays, and
certain locations that have gone out of business," said the market's
organizer, Edward Antonino, president of Southern California
Certified Farmers Market, which runs the Sunday event. "The idea is
to help revitalize the area by attracting additional customers that
fell out of shopping in that area."
Antonino said he's not concerned with nearby Montrose farmers'
market, which also operates Sunday.
"That's more for people who are in the northern part of Glendale,"
he said. "Whereas I'm sure people in the central part of Glendale
could use this market. There's a lot of apartments and a lot of
housing within three or four blocks. Those residents could walk here
without having to worry about parking."
City officials agree the market could help make downtown more
brimming with weekend foot traffic.
"I think any time you have a special event that can attract people
to come out and walk in front of stores it's beneficial, even on a
Sunday morning," said Philip Lanzafame, assistant director of the
city's development services.
Officials said the market has the potential for people to return
each week and patronize local businesses.
Unlike the downtown Thursday farmers' market, the event is not
sponsored by the city, which gets a cut of its proceeds from the
Thursday event.
The Sunday event actually started April 13. But that was too
early, Antonino acknowledged, adding that the city informed him the
permit process had not been completed and he was authorized to begin
Sunday.
