PHOTOS: West Seattle Farmers’ Market debuts in new street location

10:57 AM: “This rocks!” That’s the first comment we heard today from a visitor to the newly relocated West Seattle Farmers’ Market (WSB sponsor), on until 2 pm in the middle of California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska. As first published here last week, here’s the vendor map:

The move has been months in the making, officially – but it’s also been a years-long dream for some, with the knowledge that it brings more space for more vendors and more local nonprofits, plus more room for shoppers to roam, and more chances to show off The Junction’s bricks-and-mortar businesses to WSFM visitors. More photos to come, but better yet, just go see for yourself!

P.S. Transportation notes – only one bus route is affected, the 22; for vehicle parking, while the market block is off-limits until about 4 pm, the 45-space lot that formerly held the market is open; for bicycle parking, remember the “corral” on the southeast corner of California/Alaska. Also, east-west streets are all open, including Alaska and Oregon themselves.

2:43 PM: Adding photos. Above, the fresh produce is the star of the show this time of year. But as noted in our preview, you’ll find food trucks too – that made it a hit for Sammy and Annika, whose mom Lori shared the photo:

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back for summer appearances – we found them right by the south end at California/Alaska:

And we happened onto Ivy from market staff, with WSFM buttons:

(added) From MercyMoi, “August is making a necklace with beautiful paper beads”:

MM adds, “The artist (and farmers market rep) showed us how to make the beads, so I expect many textured jewelry projects this summer.”

Photo to share from the street site’s debut? Share it! Meantime, again, this is the market’s new home, so it’ll be back in the street every Sunday – except for July 12th, when it’ll be back at the old location in the 44th/Alaska lot since West Seattle Summer Fest will have taken over the street for the weekend.

36 Replies to "PHOTOS: West Seattle Farmers' Market debuts in new street location"

  • Rick June 14, 2015 (11:38 am)

    Did a lap just a bit ago. Very nice. Didn’t have my glasses on and I thought the vendor map said “Don’t miss a beer”. Imagine my dismay,yet still very cool.

  • Toni Reineke June 14, 2015 (11:40 am)

    Very nice! Layout is much easier to comprehend!

    I got a couple great buys: 3 half flats of Strawberries for $7 each, plus a 24-pound box of apricot seconds for $48. The box of apricots I got last year made 6.5 batches of apricot-pineapple jam–VERY good buy!

  • G June 14, 2015 (1:17 pm)

    Long time coming. Most of the farmer’s markets down here usually are set up on a street off a main arterial. Just got back from Pacific Palisades – good lord, what a upbeat, bustling farmer’s market! Samples aplenty, too.

  • Eric June 14, 2015 (1:22 pm)

    Dang, saw this a bit too late!! This is awesome! Tried hurrying up to mow the lawn and get down there, but just got done. Oh well, there’s next week

  • DR June 14, 2015 (2:47 pm)

    This is so great. It was wonderful roaming around with room to spare and no traffic to worry about. Thanks to everyone who made this happen!

  • Noelle June 14, 2015 (2:54 pm)

    So every Sunday California Ave is going to be closed for the Farmer’s Market . . . Just like the Street Fair but EVERY WEEKEND this Summer?
    Wow

    • WSB June 14, 2015 (3:03 pm)

      Every Sunday year-round, not just summer. One block, between Oregon and Alaska.

  • Gina June 14, 2015 (3:29 pm)

    Looking forward to visiting.

  • Diane June 14, 2015 (4:05 pm)

    LOVE the new setup; thrilled it will be like this year-round
    ~
    Eric, I caught tail-end; didn’t get there til maybe 1:45; still plenty to see; and got a jar of the most awesome radish kimchee; yum!
    ~
    and now I know, have to get there really early for duck eggs
    ~
    this will be great for local biz also; stores and restaurants were bustling with folks
    ~
    after the market I finally got a tour of Junction 47 apts; then tried to tour the next apt project south, but the leasing agent was out to lunch
    ~
    I almost never go to this Sunday market; bringing it into the junction was the enticement for me; excellent idea; thanks to any/all who made this happen

  • Joe June 14, 2015 (5:34 pm)

    So no more Sunday breakfast at the jnction. No street parking and the lots are full. Did anyone contact the affected businesses? I’m told not.

    • WSB June 14, 2015 (7:55 pm)

      Joe, yes, in fact, the West Seattle Junction Association, to which the businesses belong, approved this. Wouldn’t have happened without its approval. It was first announced 3 months ago so certainly even if there’s a business that doesn’t participate in the WSJA for some reason, they would have heard by now https://westseattleblog.com/2015/03/west-seattle-farmers-market-moving-out-of-the-lot-into-the-street – At least one merchant on that block, Click! (a longtime sponsor), was so excited about it, they offered special deals. And re: parking, the lot that reopened has 45 spaces, which I believe is more than the block that closed (caveat, I haven’t counted, this is an attempt at mental math).
      .
      Anonyme, sorry, it must be a weekday thing, then – I had an advisory for the KEXP event that closed the same block two weeks ago (now it’s a 404 but the link was http://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/pdf/15-SPE-504.4_Rt22_BlockPartyOnCaliforniaAvSW_May29.pdf ) but I don’t see one for today, either. In the link above to our original story about the market move, there was much discussion about buses but nothing conclusive. I will strike out the Route 22 reference above.

  • chas redmond June 14, 2015 (5:52 pm)

    Congratulations to the West Seattle Junction Association and the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance for a fantastic new arrangement. Today was stunning. I figure about three times the number of shoppers and 4 times the number of musical areas or stages. Hopefully the farmers and bakers will adjust their future expectations accordingly – there were a lot of early empty stalls today – I got the last Honest Biscuit at noon – with 2 hours still to go for the market. Overall a complete reimagining of what the West Seattle Farmers Market is. Again – Congrats Junction Association and businesses and congrats Farmers Market Alliance and the West Seattle Farmers Market.

  • anonyme June 14, 2015 (6:34 pm)

    This sounds great, but how is the Route #22 affected? There is no info on the Metro web site.

  • ws_suzanne June 14, 2015 (7:53 pm)

    Wow, what a difference moving along CA makes!

    I go almost every week, but the new location today brought far more people than ever before. It was completely alive and vibrant. A few stands had even sold out by the time I got there at 1.

    Wouldn’t it be something if our local farmers and vendors can make a real living doing this work, selling directly to us at the farmer’s market and their CSA’s?

    Also, the musicians were GREAT! It feels like a celebration of our West Seattle community, where we can all come together.

    For those focused on cheap deals, please know that these farmers work HARD for every penny. The quality and care these farmers put into their just-picked veggies and fruits, fresh eggs, meat, pickles…. is far beyond anything you’ll ever find at any supermarket.

    THANK YOU to everyone who made this happen!

  • AJP June 14, 2015 (8:15 pm)

    Oh my sacred parking spaces! Whatever shall I do? My life has been terribly inconvenienced!

  • Jon Wright June 14, 2015 (8:38 pm)

    People seem to have a difficult time adapting to the 21st Century reality that free parking “right out front” is a pipe dream. When we walked past the pay lots, there were plenty of spots available so there clearly WAS parking.
    .
    Staff in stores we visited did complain about the Market…because the stores were so busy the people working couldn’t catch their breath.
    .
    Why is it no matter how wonderful something is generally perceived to be there is always someone who feels compelled to be a party pooper?

  • Junctionite June 14, 2015 (8:38 pm)

    Hope there will be more food trucks and music. So far seems like a good move.

  • Azimuth June 14, 2015 (9:07 pm)

    Regarding the local businesses, all I can say is that the pizza joint made a small sale to myself that they would not have if the market was at its old location today. I like this site much better though I, too, am curious if the energy can be sustained in February, for example.

  • Eric June 14, 2015 (9:25 pm)

    Really Joe? No more weekend breakfasts cause of this?

  • Jenfin June 14, 2015 (9:56 pm)

    The farmer’s market was freakin’ awesome. The musicians were great and falafel Salam was amazing food truck!!! I hope to make it every Sunday that I am in town. More reasons to love west seattle!!

  • Ridge June 14, 2015 (10:23 pm)

    What a great day at the market! The energy was fun, so many wonderful venders, and friendly people. We own Adrienne’s cakes and pies and are fellow West Seattleites and wanted
    to thank you for such a warm welcome! We are so excited to be a part of the market. And yes, we will adjust and bring more of our mini-pies, whole pies and cupcakes. Thanks again and see you next week! Ridge and Adrienne

  • Paul June 14, 2015 (10:40 pm)

    It was terrific! So enjoyed visiting today; thanks to those who made it a reality. Parking was not a problem at all, and we had lunch at the Matador to top it off! Great day.

  • miws June 14, 2015 (10:40 pm)

    anonyme, I’ll try to dig around tomorrow, but I *think* the 22 re-route is layover at it’s usual spot on 44th next to near Wells Fargo (there’s the two zones there), left on Oregon, left on Glenn Way, left on Alaska, probably stopping at the 128 stop between 44th and the alley.

    .

    This is based on admittedly wonky memory, plus what the 128 routing used to be on Sundays (and even *further* back on Saturdays, when it deadheaded at Alaska Junction, instead of running up to Admiral Junction.

    .

    Mike

  • tonenotvolume June 14, 2015 (10:52 pm)

    Joe – the best breakfast in our area is at Meanders on 16th in White Center. Make a change!

  • wb June 14, 2015 (11:15 pm)

    I was there and it was terrific- found all my favorite vendors and glad it was so busy. The West Seattle farmers market is all growed up!

  • dsa June 15, 2015 (12:12 am)

    I think this is great. I hope it is a great success.

  • Donna June 15, 2015 (3:28 am)

    People have expressed concern that the all the new developments in WS will take away from our neighborly home town feel. In my mind this change compensates greatly for the influx of new residents and buildings, and makes for a very vibrant neighborhood. I chose to move to WS 30 years ago because of the feeling of community and have been among those with mixed feelings about all the development, but yesterday did a lot to allay my concerns. I am envisioning the Fall harvest scenes and the holiday shopping and excited at the thoughts. I travel a lot for my work and this reminds me of the countless very active neighborhood scenes played out in cities around the country. Let’s face it, Seattle is no longer a country bumpkin city and WS is no longer a sleepy little small town. If it is necessary to drive to the Farmers Market, parking 4-5 blocks away and walking is what people in other cities do all the time. Although let’s get more disabled parking spots nearby, even temporary ones each Sunday, and make sure they are used by people who genuinely need them rather than by freeloaders using their deceaseed granny’s parking placard.

  • Rick June 15, 2015 (4:57 am)

    Breakfast at Young’s in White Center is pretty good too.

  • H June 15, 2015 (9:45 am)

    One of my favorite things is the Munich Christmas outdoor markets. This reminded me of that. So great!

  • Chris June 15, 2015 (11:51 am)

    Wow! Thank you West Seattle for your huge turn out and overwhelming enthusiasm for our new location on California Avenue. Thank you, too, to the West Seattle Junction Association, West Seattle Kiwanis, Swanson Insurance, Gagnon Insurance, Homestreet Bank and Husky Deli for your many years of support! And of course, a big thanks to the hard working market team, our volunteers and our board members who helped out to make Sunday such a great success. We broke all attendance records yesterday and our farmers stayed busy all day long. It was a wonderful day for the Junction, local farmers and local food. To quote the Easy Street reader board; West Seattle Rules!
    Chris Curtis, Executive Director, Neighborhood Farmers Markets and West Seattle Farmers Market.

  • Brad June 15, 2015 (2:17 pm)

    I would like to thank all the people who came out to the Farmer’s Market on Sunday. As the owner of West Seattle Cyclery, we have been very excited to have the market move to California. Our foot traffic to the store quadrupled for a typical busy Sunday afternoon.

    Susan at the West Seattle Junction Association has done an amazing job of letting the businesses give feedback on the move. Businesses were invited to several meetings with Farmer’s market staff to get as much information as we wanted and provide feedback. The Farmer’s Market staff have developed a great plan for West Seattle like they have for several other neighborhood markets.

    Parking was affected by the move but the impact is almost negligible. If I remember it was something like +/- six spots. There are always alternatives to cars. I am biased but I would suggest a bike because our spring and summer so far has been amazing.

  • Sandy June 15, 2015 (4:11 pm)

    Enjoyed the market as I have in the past, but didn’t see any tables and chairs for utilizing the food vendors. Maybe I was too early?

  • Kathy June 15, 2015 (4:22 pm)

    Now if only we could get bus service more frequent than hourly from Alki (and probably other neighborhoods, too) on Sunday, maybe fewer people will feel they have to drag their car to the market to enjoy it.

  • Patrick June 15, 2015 (6:15 pm)

    Congrats to Chris, Ivy, and the rest of the Farmers Market team! Sounds like the new setup was a HUGE success for everyone. You guys rock.

  • Dylan June 15, 2015 (8:51 pm)

    Kathy, I know many of the route consolidations and cancelations were turned off, but the plan was to combine the 50/128 and give it half hour service on Sunday.

  • anonyme June 19, 2015 (9:01 am)

    Thanks, Mike (once again)! Just want to make sure where to catch it, and when. Sounds like that part hasn’t changed.

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