Decorah Area Farmers Market is hoping to get additional space for booths this summer

Posted: Tue, Jun 16, 2020 10:28 AM

As part of the Decorah Area Farmers Market's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, booths at the market are now arranged this summer so there is an empty booth space next to every operating booth. That means the lower Co-op parking lot where the market is held on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings this summer can accommodate only 24 booths instead of the usual 46 booths.

Farmers Market organizers have met with City of Decorah officials to review the options which might give more space for the market this summer. One proposal would expand the booths into more of the Co-op parking lot space. However, delivery trucks would need access to the Oneota Co-op, especially on Saturday, so that detail would have to be ironed out.

A second proposal has won the approval of the Decorah City Council. This plan would close one block of Heivly Street between Court Street and River Street, allowing the farmers market to expand to the north.

There is not an immediate need for additional space, the farmers market would need more room in a couple of weeks as crops ripen and more exhibitors want to take part in the market.