Farmers Market to Begin June 6

In just about a month, the Albany farmers market will return for its second season at Solano and San Pablo avenues, organizer Ben Feldman said Thursday. 

(Read more about the market here.)

Feldman, an Albany resident who runs several markets around the area for The Ecology Center, said the weekly event is set to begin June 6, from 3-7 p.m.

The opening of the second season will include face painting and a juggler. The celebration will be somewhat understated, said Feldman, "given the desire from the businesses in the area not to have a big grand opening."

Several local businesses opposed the return of the market on Solano Avenue, citing for customers who wanted to reach their businesses.

Many other community members said they loved the location and the sense of community the market brought to city residents.

The market had been set to begin in May, but was delayed due to a to weigh both sides of the issue and address the concerns.

Feldman said he's spoken with several local business owners who were interested to know when the market would return, some of whom said their customers had been asking them about it. 

"These have been more casual conversations," he said. "They're excited. They're looking forward to having the market back."

This year's market will include a more open layout, with many of the trucks along the north side of the street removed and parking elsewhere. There will also be aisles from the market onto the north sidewalk.

"I think it can open things up and give us a place to have some tables. It can create some more flow between the sidewalk and the market," Feldman said.

The weekly market will include about 20 vendors, said Feldman. Four of them will be new this year. He said Thursday he wasn't quite ready to release the new list, but that this information would be coming soon.

In addition to vendors, the market will also offer a "community booth" to allow local organizations to reach out to the community. Email Feldman for more information or to sign up.

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If there's something in this article you think , or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at albany@patch.com.