The Adams County Farmers Market (ACFM), which is currently located behind the Gettysburg Transfer Station (rabbittransit) between Carlisle and Stratton Streets, is looking for a new home.
The move is necessitated by an upcoming development project on the site which will be occurring in the near future.
Market Manager Reza Djalal said it was “likely the current site will not be viable in the future” due to the development, although he said there was a “slim” chance the market might be able to continue at the site for at least part of next year’s season.
At this point the market is considering three locations – the Gettysburg College campus, the Lutheran Seminary campus, and the Gettysburg rec park.
At a meeting with Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) board of directors last Monday, Djalal said surveys of customers and vendors showed overwhelming support for a rec park location and that the market’s board members were also very favorable.
Djalal said his main concern with a move was to not interrupt the substantial growth the market has shown. Djalal said combined vendor sales in 2021 were up 65 percent from 2020 and 134 percent from 2019.
The GARA board was very positive about the idea but said there were many details that would need to be worked out, including addressing the question of whether the farmers market might fit into the rec park contract and whether Gettysburg Borough, which owns the land, would allow it.
“I’ve always thought this is a great space for a farmers market”, said GARA President Steve Niebler. “I don’t see why it can’t succeed.”
ACFM said it hoped the new site would be ADA compliant, with restrooms and public transport.
Djalal said a paved area was necessary, and that both the north and south parking lots along Long Lane were suitable. Djalal said he preferred the north lot because it was closer to downtown Gettysburg but that there were benefits of the south lot as well. Djalal said tourist traffic from Steinwehr Ave. might be attracted to a market at the south end of the park via Gettys or Queen Streets.
Djalal also said the market would like to have a year-round building if possible.
ACFM and GARA will continue their conversations. “Let’s keep talking,” said Niebler.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.
I would like to see every effort being made to keep the market walkable to the immediate downtown area. In addition to the Agway building there is open space and empty warehouses off of Water Street. Have those been investigated? It seems to me that many people during the season walk into the market because they are downtown and end up buying. Should they have to learn about, seek out and find another location I’m not sure the tourist would be attending and spending their dollars. Parking at the locations may also not be adequate, as often the parking lot… Read more »
The Rec Park is a great idea. Someone has their “north” and “south” lots mixed up, though.
If the Farmers Market would like an indoor location year-round, would it be possible to gain the use of the old Agway store? It’s been empty for ages and has a parking lot. A small public restroom could be added, I would think.
Thanks Terry. I fixed the north/south mixup. I think the farmers market has talked to the college which owns the Agway lot and it seems nothing came of that.
I have lived in Gettysburg all my life. To have the market at the Rec Park makes sense to me, a lot of room, bathrooms, and if need be, grass parking. As long as you have marketing to let people know about the move, it would be fine. I am the Relationship Banker at PNC Bank (22 years) right beside the Rec park, we are going through a MAJOR renovation this coming year. We will be providing our clients with a new way of banking and hope to bring more business to our community.