The popular Saturday Chelsea Farmers’ Market, which for the last few years was held in the library lot, will this year open on May 3 in the Palmer parking lot.
The change in venue was unanimously approved by the Chelsea City Council on Monday, Feb. 17.
The Saturday market season is from May 3-Oct. 25, with market hours from 8 a.m.-noon. The request to use the public space was from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. for the about 40 vendors to set up and tear down their spaces before and after the market.
Market Manager Ashley Miller Helmholdt told the City Council that the Saturday market has been taking place for 20 years, while the Wednesday Bushel Basket Farmers’ Market has an 8-year history.
She also requested that the City Council assist the market with $5,000, which would pay for a garbage can, a storage space, traffic cones and signs, a bike rack, tables, chairs and umbrellas for visitors.
Miller Helmholdt said the market has a $1,500 grant to offset the about $7,900 cost for the items, which would be a one-time expense.
It was suggested that she approach the city’s Downtown Development Authority with the funding request.
