It was suggested that I take space number 34. I went to look at it and it was filled with the same sand and dirt but the entire area was covered. Nevertheless I drove onto the mixture (in my battery powered wheelchair) mixture of sand and dirt my wheelchair immediately got stuck to the point where I had to get out of it and it had to be carried out of the dirt by two other people.
I was offered the space right next to it that one but felt that I was being treated unfairlyby not being allowed to continue in the same area that I have had for so many years.
The space I was offered is in a part of the market that has always been regarded as a "sleeper" part. (though the management will not publicly admit this every market area has it's undesireable areas of less sales) Meaning it just doesnt get the "traffic" that the part of the market does that I have been in for the past 8 years. (Sine it moved to that particular location).
One of the women offered to trade with me a booth by the "shed" where they keep miscellaneous items for the market but hers had the same sand and dirt problem. A carpet was brought out to lay over the dirt but the wheelchair "bunched" it up and I was stuck again not to mention that it would be dangerous for the customers to trip on.
I finally left at a little after ten in the morning after having my friend tell the market coordinator that we were leaving.
I have been a member of the Coupeville Farmers Market for the past 9 years only missing days when it was very rainy or I had a different show to attend-but I always informed them of my intentions
I have been at this particular booth since 1996. I started out in a space directly across the way from space # 12 then the 1995. I asked to be moved across the way to space # 12 to avoid the sun shining directly on me and my product.
I have been in the SAME space for many many years and all my customers know where to find me.
In my opinion (and many other vendors opinions) there was no need to "level" the ground (if that was the reason that the sand was applied) the slightly uneven ground was never a bother and my wheelchair ran just fine where my space was. If they wanted new grass just the seed could have been applied. There was no need to put the dirt where I was.
Now I have decided to try a NEW FARMER'S MARKET!!
Please look under Bayview Farmer's Market on the catagory list.
UPDATE AUGUST 2003
I didn't realize how long it has been since I had posted. We are not welcome at the Bayview Marketbecause we are too "FLASHY". Our bright colors and innovative cat products seem to offend some of the other vendors although many had come and told us that they LOVED our set up! No big loss because I found that the Bayview Market was put on cruched rocks and everything got terrible dirty and dusty. In one day there was more damage done to my products then in the entire year at the Farmers Markets I have previously attended.
We are back at the Coupeville Market down by the Courthouse. The hours are Saturday's 10AM-2PM.
Mention this article and you will receive a free Cat Toy.
