Farmers market opens in temporary location

Apr. 15—Nick Jones of Five Sons Farm said the opening day of the 2024 season at the Morgan County-Decatur Farmers Market on Saturday at a temporary location started out slowly for him.

"I think it's to be expected because of the transition from where it's always been. People are having to kind of search for the spot," Jones, 42, said. "It'll adjust."

With the old farmers market demolished and the new one at the same location on First Avenue Southeast being constructed, the farmers market on Saturday was in a nearby city parking lot.

Jones, whose farm is in Elkmont, sells mostly meat, including chicken, pork, beef and raw milk. He has been selling at the market for four years.

"Obviously, this will be a tougher year or two for vendors because the open-air markets, the pop-up markets like this are going to be less pleasant in inclement weather," Jones said. "If it's rainy, people aren't going to come — it's not going to be as sheltered. The customers are exposed, so they're less likely to come. Same way when it's super-hot in the summer, it'll really slump off, and in this market, summertime is peak season for us."

Johnny Lawrence, market co-manager, said Saturday morning that the temporary market was going smoothly. There were 15 vendors set up on the back part of the parking lot on Grant Street Southeast and First Avenue, behind Absaroka and The RailYard.

"We're not quite full, but we've got a good many," Lawrence said. "We can add five or six more up here and then we've got the rest of the parking lot down there where we could have 20 or 30 probably. We don't ever have as many starting out because we don't have the produce growing yet."

Lawrence said as more produce is grown throughout the season, he expects the number of vendors to grow to 50. Vendors at Saturday's market were selling strawberries, plants, pies, greens, lettuce, baked goods, meat and crocheted items. Lawrence said he was pleased with the way the temporary market was running and did not feel the need to change anything.

Work began on dismantling and demolishing the former farmers market building located at 211 First Avenue S.E. in Decatur in January. A new timber-framed open-air pavilion will be erected in its place that will accommodate 40 covered vendor stalls with larger truck bays. In January, it was expected to be completed by the end of the year. Lawrence said it is hard to say now when it will be finished.

"They said originally it would be six to eight months, but I think there's been a few delays," he said. "I would look at us probably moving in next spring."

Lawrence said besides the 40 vendor stalls, there will be room on the lawn to set up tents for more vendors. The new building will also include an office, pea-shelling room and restrooms.

"I think it's going to be really good for the market and the city," Lawrence said. "It's going to be definitely a nicer facility than we had."

Jones said he hopes the new facility will make this season's temporary quarters worthwhile.

"Ultimately, if it goes as explained to us, then, sure, it will be great," he said. "It'll ultimately be a good thing overall."

Elyse Cravens, 31, and Kaitlin Wallace, 30, both from Hartselle, were shopping at Jones' stall Saturday. Cravens said she buys her meat from Jones and also wanted to get strawberries. She said she had been to the previous facility many times but that the temporary market was working well and easy to access.

"I think I'll miss the old pavilion just because it feels more farmers markety," Cravens said. "But I think this is a good temporary setup."

Cravens said she was excited about the new pavilion.

"Hopefully it'll offer more areas for more growers and people to come," she said.

Andy Chambers, 57, of Chambers Farm in Holly Pond said he has been selling plants and produce at the market for 20 years. He said he would rather have a building than the temporary setup.

"I'll be glad when we get in the new building. This is a lot more trouble; have to get up a lot earlier," Chambers said. "But it's not bad. I think it'll be fine."

Debra Morgan, 64, from Trinity, chatted Saturday morning with Chambers about his strawberries and strawberry jam. She said she shopped at the former market site frequently. Morgan ended up buying strawberries, but said she just came to look at the temporary site.

"It's nice. I like it, myself," she said. "I like the way they've got it set up."

Morgan said she believes the market will get more vendors throughout the season.

"I know how things grow in Decatur," she said. "People like to come to the markets, get their fruits and vegetables and stuff."

Morgan said she is looking forward to the new facility being completed.

"Maybe next year they'll have that one up and going," she said. "I like to come and get my vegetables."

—erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.