Rant: So Pacific Grove merchants don’t want people from outside Pacific Grove selling their wares at the Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market. That almost makes sense, or it would if the only point to the whole thing was protection of the Pacific Grove merchants. But the customers ought to count for something, don’t you think? Unless we’re missing something, more vendors equals more stuff for sale equals more customers for everyone.

They don’t get it. If they had any sense of customer service they’d stay in town late and buy a booth to extend their wares to the street along side the rest, only with a message that they are also available the other days of the week.

Letters From The Editor – Farmers Market

The rusty garden decor shop and the second liquor store in town join forces to get rid of the people from outside the gates. Not that they sell anything that is in competition with them….

Now where am I going to get any substainable watermelons?

In the six months since the weekly outdoor market made its debut, the event has attracted a small following of attendees who turn out for organic produce, a chance to see their neighbors and support some local merchants.

Just how local some of those merchants are has been brought into question: Complaints in recent weeks accused some vendors of being from outside Pacific Grove.

“It’s a minor point of contention,” said Bill Valuch, co-owner of Miss Trawick’s Garden Shop and a member of the Business Improvement District advisory board, “but some businesses did not think that was fair.”

As a result, downtown merchants asked the planning commission to establish measurable guidelines to ensure the vendor pool remains local.

Locals Are Running Farmer’s Market Out Of Town