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Council says farmers market will stay at Samuel Street for 2025, urges phased planning for move
Summary
After hearing multiple residents and vendors, the Charles Town City Council agreed to honor the already-issued 2025 permit and keep the farmers market at South Samuel Street while directing staff and partners to plan any future relocation with a phased approach and vendor input.
The Charles Town City Council voted to honor the market's existing 2025 permit and keep the Charles Town Farmers Market at South Samuel Street for the 2025 season, after an extended public-comment period in which vendors, nearby businesses and residents urged more time and planning before any move.
Diane Blust, president of the Jefferson Gap Coalition, told council the market is "an important part of our local agricultural and artisan community economy," and asked the council to uphold the 2025 permit so the market can "continue operation on South Samuel Street for the 2025 market season." Blust said the market provides an established sales outlet for 12 local farms and 16 value-added producers.
Several vendors and downtown merchants echoed that position. Jessie Prince, who identified herself as a mortgage professional, said relocating the market now would be premature and would harm vendors who have already prepared for the season. Sarah, who spoke for the downtown business Fuzzy Dog, said short notice would hurt foot traffic to local shops and asked the city for more lead time and coordination with businesses.
Council members said they support moving the market to the new green space the city plans to acquire in the long term but warned it is not ready yet. The mayor and multiple council members said the land purchase is not complete, infrastructure is lacking and vendors need time to adapt. The council described a preference for a phased transition rather than an abrupt move.
Rather than a formal ordinance vote, the council reached a unanimous consensus on the floor to keep the market at its current Samuel Street location for 2025 and to begin a planning process for a future move: staff will work with market leaders, the Parks Board, and vendors to draft concepts, consider phased introduction (e.g., trial events at the new site), and explore capital improvements ahead of any relocation.
The council asked staff to present transition options and to consider creating a small task force composed of city staff, Parks & Recreation, market leadership (Jefferson Gap Coalition), and vendor representatives. The mayor said the city may use this summer's market season to gather vendor and customer input and test ideas before any formal relocation schedule is set.
The council did not set a final timeline for any move and said it would honor the permit that has already been issued for 2025. Next steps listed by council included: (1) staff-led planning and concept development, (2) outreach and charrettes with vendors and the public, (3) consideration of phased trials during the summer, and (4) budget planning for necessary infrastructure at the new site.
The matter will remain under staff coordination and return to council with concrete proposals and estimated costs; no binding transfer or change of venue was authorized at the meeting.
