GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission last week voted unanimously to approve the relocation of a beloved farmers market from Old Greenwich to Riverside.
The market, which has been in existence for 16 years, most recently at Living Hope Community Church in Old Greenwich, sought a new space since a project at the church would have disrupted operations this summer and into the future.
Market co-founder and manager, Dana Lee, told the Commission she had been looking for a new space that would not be impacted by a construction project and would not pose issues that were evident at Living Hope Community Church, such as traffic and limited parking.
"Most of the churches in town offered. The one that made the most sense was St. Catherine's because they have that giant parking lot and will not be doing the carnival this year," Lee said. "In our research, they have a really big parking lot."
The market had been operating at the new site under an administrative site plan, tent special event application for up to 14 non-consecutive days, but concurrently submitted a final coastal site plan to operate with tents for longer than 14 combined days.
"The new location has been really good for the vendors," Lee said. "We have new shoppers and people who can find the market better than they could down at Old Greenwich."
Operating each Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the market typically has anywhere from 200-400 attendees, including children, coming at different times.
The market traditionally features 12-15 vendors each week, including Connecticut farms, several local food businesses, and a craft vendor, jewelry maker or local nonprofit when space allows.
The new location takes up 29 parking spots that make up the lot at 11 Riverside Ave., good enough for 12-13 vendors with tents, leaving 70 available parking spots on the east side of Riverside Avenue - double the amount at Living Hope Community Church.
There are an additional 18 spots allocated to St. Catherine's and another 12 designated visitor spots.
Resident Ashley Cole spoke in support of the market.
"It's a great part of the community culture of Greenwich to have access to fresh fruit and vegetables and these lovely vendors," Cole said. "Dana does a great job, and she's incredibly responsible. I just want to say I really support this. It's a good thing for everybody."
As part of the approval, there is a condition on amplified music.
"I just want to add... We're not anti-music grinches, but you've got the Japanese School nearby. Also, there may not be services going on next door to the church, but people go to church to pray, have a quiet time. I don't think they need to be disturbed with loud music."
Lee said she agreed.
Commission Chair Margarita Alban said her colleagues want the market to be a hit.
"We want you to be successful; people love having a farmers market, and we just want it to be seamless in the neighborhood," she said.
Check out more information on the market on Instagram.
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