PORT ANGELES — The Saturday Port Angeles Farmers Market may give The Gateway transit center a try next month.
After two successful weeks for the Wednesday market at the downtown center’s pavilion, market Manager Michele d’Hemecourt said the market board wants to see if the facility can handle the larger Saturday market.
Two week trial
The Wednesday market, which is usually at Laurel and First streets, ended its two-week free trial of The Gateway this week, and a decision will be made by the end of the week on whether to hold that market there on a regular basis, d’Hemecourt said.
“Just like last week, customers and vendors really like this place,” she said. “It’s been very positive.”
Attendance estimates were created by counting the number of people every hour, which, d’Hemecourt said, probably resulted in counting some customers more than once.
By that method of counting, 1,500 attended the market June 17, and 1,200 attended this week’s market, d’Hemecourt said.
Even if some were counted more than once, attendance appears to be up, d’Hemecourt said.
The only problem with using The Gateway’s pavilion at Front and Lincoln streets is the ability of vendors to set up their stands, she said, because of limited vehicle access.
“It’s generally smoother” this week, d’Hemecourt said. “We will need to invest in hand trucks.”
No dates set
No dates have been set for the Saturday market — located in the parking lot of the Clallam County Courthouse at 223 E. Fourth St. — to use The Gateway in July, but d’Hemecourt said the board members are in contact with the city of Port Angeles.
The city has waived the $75-a-day rental fee for the The Gateway’s pavilion for the market during the recent trial run.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
