It’s official: West Seattle Farmers’ Market going year-round

We told you this was in the works, and now it’s official: Following a vote of approval by the West Seattle Junction Association board, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is now clear to go year-round (otherwise, it was set to close for about 2 months after this Sunday). Seattle Neighborhood Farmers’ Market Alliance director Chris Curtis says, “The market currently is about 17 vendors. It will get a little bigger toward the end of March and should be close to 25 vendors in April and over 30 by the first of May.”

erincorrine February 21, 2008 (12:26 pm)

Woo hoo!

Julia February 21, 2008 (1:04 pm)

I am wondering why the Farmer’s Market is so militant that no one can shop before 10. I understand they need to get set up, but last time, at 9.50, I was met with such hostility and arms severely folded, no one meeting my eyes, that I will never shop there again. There must be some middle ground between having the public get in the way during set up, and behaving like the guards at Lenin’s Tomb. Their attitude is definitely not conducive to making sales. By the way, I own several retail stores, and that very same morning mentioned above, I had opened my front door early especially to sell a Farmer’s Market sales associate a pair of sunglasses. I always accept all the customers I can get. I thought that was what it was all about.

carraig na splinkeen February 21, 2008 (3:26 pm)

We haven’t run into the friendliest folks selling there, even after 10, so don’t really make an effort to go anymore.

Wendy February 21, 2008 (4:17 pm)

The current hours are 11 to 2. Sales are not allowed before the bell. One, this gives the vendors a chance to set up without being interrupted by sales and creating the possibility of not BEING ready when the opening bell rings. Also this gives shoppers who are trying to get items in low supply a fair chance to be in line when the bell rings and the market opens. I would be pretty upset if I came at 10 (or 11) AM and all the eggs were sold before the market even opened. I would cry FOUL. I cry anyway because often I will be in line before opening time but depending on supply, they may run out of eggs before I get to the head of the line. The early bird gets the EGGS.

NaSw February 22, 2008 (10:54 am)

Most of the sellers at the WS market are a pleasure to do business with, but a few of them are really smug wankers.

Folded arms and no eye contact is not the way to handle customer service. (reminds me of the ‘Soup Nazi’) I understand they have rules at the Farmer’s Market, no need to be rude about it. However, it all comes down to supply and demand. The sellers who know their goods will be scooped up right away don’t need to extend themselves. It’s rotten, but some people have no class.I guess when you’re in demand, you don’t need to worry about being polite and accomodating. This happens everywhere.

What’s with the 11am start time anyway? I thought farmers went to market early. Sheesh, these neo-farmers. They have it so cushy.

I’ve found that the Columbia City Farmer’s market tends to have the most customer service oriented sellers. (some are at the WS market too). Too bad it’s not open year round.