Support local vendors at My Goochland Market on May 7, 2011 grand opening day.
Richmonders have enjoyed the Goochland Farmer’s Market for several years. But now they’re closing their doors.
The bad news is that the Center for Rural Culture (CRC) will not operate a farmer’s market this year.
But the good news is that a new farmer’s market is being opened by former Executive Director of the CRC which goes by the name, My Goochland Market.
Controversy
Unfortunately, the new market doesn’t come without lots of controversy, drama and fanfare that has unfolded over the past months. Former executive director, Lisa Dearden, resigned this year after a feud with the group and the board of directors. She raised concerns about the organization’s books and financial management, which was later declared unfounded by an independent audit.
Rearden left CRC and organized her own farmer’s market which presented direct competition to the Goochland Farmer’s Market and put many exhibitors and vendors in a precarious situation. She is “not pleased with the Goochland Market closing” as she states in a recent statement. But she is moving forward with her own plans to open the May 7 My Goochland Market located at 68 Broad Street in Manakin-Sabot.
CRC Responds
In a CRC news release, the group graciously bowed out of the farmer’s market business with this statement:
“Although the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church has generously offered to renew the Market’s lease on the church property, the Board believes that the county cannot support two markets and that diluting the customer base is unfair to our vendors. Competition from other markets in the Richmond metro area and rising gas prices were factors in the decision.”
The Goochland Farmer’s Market has offered lots of fresh and organic foods, local produce, meat, honey, desserts, hand-made goods and more to the people of Goochland, Short Pump and the surrounding communities. My Goochland Market will offer many of the same products and services with many of the vendors moving to the new venue. That means that our local community will benefit from this new market.
Support Local Vendors and Artisans
People from Goochland, Powhatan, Short Pump, and other nearby communities are already aware of the freshness they find at farmer’s markets, and now they have another choice for shopping. The market is conveniently located on Broad Street in Manakin-Sabot, just 10 minutes from Short Pump Mall.
Now that the drama is behind us, it’s time to support local vendors and artisans.
Make plans to visit the opening day of My Goochland Market on May 7, 2011. Visit their website or call Lisa Dearden with questions at 804.314.9141. You can also email her at [email protected]. My Goochland Market is a privately-held company, CkiknEGG Productions, LLC, and Dearden is the Market Manager for 2011. There is still plenty of room for local vendors and volunteers.
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