Sunday Markets Doubled on St. Pete Beach

ST. PETE BEACH- Starting in October the city will have two Sunday markets for expanded shopping opportunities. The Corey Sunday Market will now be in Horan Park behind the St. Pete Beach Police Department. The new Corey Fresh Market will be on Corey Avenue.

Last marketing season the Corey Sunday Market moved occasionally to Horan Park for the day, when weekend-long art shows utilized the market's Corey Avenue location. The park has public bathrooms and current renovations are adding more electricity for food vendors.

"Horan Park features a playground, picnic area, swimming pool and Community Center and is a great location for a family friendly event like the Corey Sunday Market...(the new location) provides the opportunity to have a more visual location when you come across the (Corey Causeway) Bridge," Corey Sunday Market Manager David Cellon said.

Merchants on Corey Avenue wanted to continue the market tradition on Corey Avenue, so they launched a new market- The Corey Fresh Market.

"The market means a lot because we get a lot of people to the beach. So many more people that might not otherwise come, go to St. Pete Beach because of the market," said Gone to the Dogs co-owner Greg Phillips.

The city commission approved closing a block of Corey Avenue for the new market at its Sept. 14 meeting. The commission had also allowed the road closure for the previous Sunday market.

"Essentially we want to extend and improve the Sunday morning market...We plan to have a more fresh, market approach- more produce and fresh flowers. We plan an expanded, variety of those services we have had," said Corey Avenue Business Association President Jeff Janson at the city commission meeting.

The city has beautification plans for Corey Avenue as well. On October 4 there will be a public meeting at St. Pete Beach City Hall at 6 p.m. The proposed project includes street, landscaping and electrical improvements.

If you go:

• The Corey Sunday Market in Horan Park starts October 8 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Market features fresh produce , gourmet food vendors, local artists, craft vendors and fresh plants, herbs and flowers.  For more information, contact Suntan Art Center at 727-367-3818 or visit their website at www.suntanart.org

• The Corey Fresh Market in the 300-block of Corey Avenue starts Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The market will offer fresh and/or organic produce, plants/flowers, spices, foods, arts and hand-crafted items. For vendor information contact 727-461-7674. For other information go to www.coreyave.com

• Both markets go Sundays through May.