Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, May 12, 2008
Sparta farmers market finds home despite some protest
The Sparta farmers market will have a new location when it opens May 26, though not the home vendors first wanted.
After several moves in as many years, the itinerant market approached the city last month about a permanent home in Blyton Park.
The Park Board approved the location, pending notification of the neighbors. But after receiving a letter and petition from nearby residents who
didn’t want the market in their neighborhood, the board agreed this week to a nearby spot in Memorial Park at the corner of Montgomery Street and Rusk Avenue.
“It’ll work out just fine,” said vendor Carol Schauf. “We didn’t give it a thought that someone might object. But Memorial Park will be fine.“
The market has about half a dozen vendors, but Schauf would like to have more. That’s part of the reason the farmers sought out a permanent spot with good visibility.
“We have to really get established,” Schauf said. She thinks there will be plenty of traffic at Memorial Park.
The market will open its season from 9 to 11 a.m. Memorial Day.
Regular hours during the summer are 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays.
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