Lewes Farmers Market seeks venue

The Lewes Historical Society and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market jointly announced Friday that they will end their decade-long partnership of the society hosting the market on its grounds at Third and Shipcarpenter Streets.

The decision leaves the farmers market in a search for a new venue, a task that proved challenging last year when they needed a temporary location for 2016.

In a joint news release, Don Matzkin, president of the Lewes Historical Society, and Helaine Harris, president of the Historic Lewes Farmers Market, wrote that "after  careful consideration, the Lewes Historical Society and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market have concluded that the renovated Lewes Historical Society grounds at Third and Shipcarpenter Streets, when completed, will not accommodate the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. This became clear during construction when unforeseen subsurface site conditions caused realignment of the new driveways thereby reducing the number of available vendor spaces to below the minimum required for the Historic Lewes Farmers Market’s successful use of the Lewes Historical Society grounds for the market."

The $400,000 grounds restoration project started last fall. During construction, both the farmers market and other popular events found temporary venues. The farmers market has been operating at George H.P. Smith Park. In June, the  popular Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival was held at the Cape May Lewes Ferry Terminal. The British Car Show was held at the ferry terminal grounds.

The farmers market ran into an unexpected wave of opposition when they asked city officials if they could use Smith park as a temporary venue for one season during the renovation.

Moving the market — one of the largest of its kind in the region —  to a park which honors the late five-term Lewes mayor George H.P. Smith drew opposition from neighbors, including Smith's widow Lorraine Smith.

"George H.P. Smith Park is a beautiful location for concerts, family gatherings, etc.," Smith said. "However, I do not believe that that park can be used for commercial and heavy traffic (for a) farmers market for 27 weeks without sustaining heavy damage."

The weekly market, which started in 2006, draws 35 vendors and has become a social event for many Lewes residents and visitors with a chance to meet and chat with friends and neighbors while buying fresh produce. The market includes a storytime for children and area chefs often showcase ways to prepare fresh and local produce.

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City officials approved the plan for a temporary location at Smith Park last year. At the time, Carrie Bennett, of the Frankford-based Bennett Orchards peach farm, said many farmers rely on the sales from the farmers market as a significant portion of their profits and moving the event to a less prominent area could hurt their bottom line.

"We are not asking for a lifetime lease of the park," Bennett said. "We are not asking to host a Punkin Chunkin event in the park."

Nearby residents said they worried about the increase in traffic. Some also worried that the grass in the park would be damaged.

Sharon Dardine, a spokeswoman for the farmers market, said the organization isn't sure what their next step will be.

"We just want to stick with that press release," she said.

Michael DiPaolo, executive director of the historical society, said the organization will continue to host other events at their complex once the work is complete but the layout will be different.

Reach Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.