French Market renovations underway.
The $5 Million dollar renovation of the French Market began this past weekend. The usually bustling Farmer’s Market, was bare Friday. Giant dumpsters were delivered, and two small Bobcats were dropped off later in the evening. The project should take 8-10 months to complete, and will be done in phases, with the Farmer’s Market being the first phase.
The Project for Public Spaces was hired in 2004 to redesign the Markets space to physically renovate and remerchandise the market as a local institution. The goal of the project was to make the market more useful for local residents, not just tourists. Plans for the Farmers Market are geared toward incorporating local foods and producers back into the market by providing them with a specific place to sell their goods. Other plans focused on re-designing lighting, storage, and points of entry.
Look Ma! No gator on a stick!
Read more at the Times-Picayune
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August 30th, 2006 at 10:59 pm
I’ve often thought it would be cool to set up shop at the French Market. But from growing up with my mom owning a large outdoor flea market in Pass Christian, MS, and knowing people who have vended or applied to vend at the French Market, I know I probably couldn’t even get in, let alone thrive in that environment of cheap, imported tourist merchandise. I would love to see more locally produced goods sold there, including the Farmer’s Market.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:48 pm
Mallory,
The current policy in place is to only allow new vendors who craft their own merchandise. So, you would pretty much be exactly who they want. Once the renovations are done, maybe the place will get an increase in traffic. Given that the stall assignments are given based on senority, you might want to sign up now, and keep your name on the list by renting a spot once in every four week period. Rents are half what they used to be, so that could be as little as $4 per month and whatever licsencing fees there are. I look at it like a bit of potentially valuable real estate with really low property taxes.
You can have a look at their leasing info and application online.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:44 am
[…] There has been some work done to the Produce Market shed over the last two weeks. It’s not exactly a rush job, but you can see some progress if you compare the photos below with the first article about the renovations. All of the walk-in coolers have been ripped out, more electrical outlets have been added, and lines marking vendor stalls have been painted. Most of this appears to be in preparation for the Flea Market vendors to make their temporary move to the Produce Market’s shed. […]