Trustees this week entered into a five-year agreement with the market’s two directors, Reuben Schwartz of Liberty Twp. and Steve Willis of Trenton, for management services to program, manage, operate and maintain the West Chester Farmers’ Market presented by First Financial Bank on The Square @ Union Centre.
The market will run on designated 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from May 17 through Oct. 18 with options to host off-season markets in coordination with the township, according to an agreement.
Schwartz and Willis, who have participated as vendors in numerous farmers markets, said they understand the needs of vendors, satisfied customers and those of market managers for vendor compliance, publicity, safety and financial management.
The market has about a half dozen farmers, but also features artists and artisan cottage industry producers, such as bakers and candle makers. Schwartz and Willis want to grow the market by limiting the amount of vendors for a specific type of product, such as cookies, and actively soliciting additional vendors where there is an unfilled product category.
“We want it to be a local producers market place more than just a produce market,” Schwartz said. “We’re trying to bring in more of a diversity of vendors.”
The market also will feature live music and a balloon animal artist, he said.
“We’re trying to make it more of a family destination, rather than just a grab-and-dash type market,” Schwartz said.
Trustee President George Lang said the farmers market has grown substantially from a market attended by very few people to one that is now attended by thousands.
“I’m glad that we actually have two people that have stepped forward that have experience,” Lang said. “They’ve both been vendors at our current farmers market for many years.”
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