Desire for shade prompts farmers market relocation

There’s been a change in plans for the relocation of the Glenwood Farmers Market.

The Wednesday evening market is still moving from Glenwood Lake Park, but will now be located on the northwest corner of Town Square in a grassy area west of the Mills County Courthouse. The initial plan, approved in a formal motion last October by the Glenwood City Council, allowed for the market to be set up on the northeast corner of Town Square – on the west side of Vine Street, across the road from the former Mills County Sheriff’s Office building.

Glenwood business owner Jeni Kirsch, who spearheaded the move from the park to Town Square, addressed the proposed venue change with city council members last week. Kirsch said the newest change in location was precipitated by discussions with potential market vendors, who had expressed concerns about a lack of shade on the northeast corner of the square. The move has the approval of the Mills County Board of Supervisors, she said.

Kirsch said the change means vendors will not be parking their vehicles on the street at the market site, but a loading and unloading zone will need to be established. She said the change creates more parking for market patrons.

“We’re not blocking off the street so we’ll have more parking available,” Kirsch said.

The market is slated to run during the summer months on Wednesdays from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Kirsch said vendor rates have been set at $65 for the entire season or $8 on a weekly basis.