Wauconda farmers market plan criticized

A proposal to move Wauconda's summertime farmers market from Main Street to a municipal parking lot was criticized by some merchants and trustees this week, prompting officials to shelve the plan.

The farmers market is organized by the Wauconda Area Chamber of Commerce. It's held Thursdays between late June and mid-October, from 3 to 7 p.m. each day.

The market features space for 27 vendors. Main Street is shut down to auto traffic between Mill and Bangs streets to accommodate the event.

Chamber of commerce representatives appeared before the town's village services committee Tuesday to ask permission to move the event to a municipal parking lot at Mill Street and Maple Avenue.

Chamber board member Ed Lochmayer said the current location results in traffic problems and safety concerns on Thursday afternoons. Because Main Street is closed down between 1 and 8 p.m. for the event, cars have to detour around the area, "which is a hindrance," Lochmayer said.

Additionally, market organizers are considering expanding the event but can't if it stays on Main Street, Lochmayer said.

Moving to the parking lot will allow cars to drive on Main Street and provide space for additional vendors, he said.

But village Trustee Linda Starkey objected to the idea, saying it would take parking spots away from customers seeking to shop on Main Street.

Starkey also took a shot at the market itself, saying attendance has been down this year.

"It hasn't generated traffic for the businesses on Main Street, if that's the goal," she said.

Trustee Tim Howe wasn't keen on the market either. People can buy most of the produce available at the event at local supermarkets, Howe said.

A few Main Street business owners who were in the audience also were critical of the proposal.

"By shutting that parking lot off, you're shutting off my business," said Kelly Lincoln, owner of a framing and memorabilia store called Daddyo's.

Lincoln suggested moving the event to one of the town's parks. He also recommended changing the day the market is held, perhaps to Sundays.

Andrew Mansour, owner of Frank's Karma Cafe, said chamber officials should prove the farmers market "provides a net benefit" to the village before any changes are made to the event.

"If they're not providing a benefit, they should get no space at all," Mansour said.

Trustee Chuck Black said he believes the farmers market does benefit Wauconda and brings people to town, and to the downtown area.

Trustee John Barbini suggested chamber officials meet with downtown merchants and get their opinions of the market and a possible move. After that happens, the group should come back to the village board with a fresh plan, he said.

Barbini said Main Street has experienced a "renaissance" in recent years.

"We need to keep that going," he said.