Farmers Market Changes Time in Hopes of More Shoppers

Good news produce shoppers: the Capitola Farmers Market just got way more accessible.

It didn't take long for the shoppers, vendors and directors to realize that 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. just didn't work for most people. So starting Thursday, June 21, the official hours will be 3 - 7 p.m, still in the Capitola Mall parking lot on 41st Avenue.

"We were not running concurrent with the mall hours," Market Director Johnna Borello said. "They don't open until 10 and we were from 9 to 1. From 9 to 11 it was so slow and then we closed at 1."

Mall management informed the market that its peak hours are in the afternoon, which Borello said helped spark the time switch.

Three vendors left the market altogether because the morning hours negatively affected sales. 

"A lot of our vendors were complaining, especially about hot food. For example, no one wants popcorn for breakfast," Borello said.

But with the time change now official, the trio of vendors that had left are on their way back to the Capitola market.

With the season and time slot changing, Borello anticipates a demographic shift at the market as well.

"Now that school is out, it's an afternoon thing and kids can come," she said. "I think it will definitely be a better time."

Have you been to the Capitola Farmers Market? Will the time change help you out? Tell us in the comments!

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