New Grosse Pointe Park farmers market to open in June

GROSSE POINTE PARK — Fresh, seasonal produce is making a return to the streets of Grosse Pointe Park this summer.

After an absence of several years, a group of residents banded together to bring back farmers markets. Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays from June 15 to Sept. 14, the Park farmers market will be held in a city-owned parking lot on the southeast corner of Kercheval Avenue and Lakepointe Street — behind the Corewell Health building — in the city’s Kercheval business district.

“We’ve got a lot of great vendors lined up,” said one of the organizers, Justine Schneider, during a Park City Council meeting May 13. “Our downtown has become so walkable.”

Philip Crouse, another of the organizers, said they have about 16 vendors providing fresh bread, produce and other staples to meet the needs of families in the community.

“I think it (says) a lot about the community that we were able to get vendors for the first year,” Crouse said, acknowledging that such markets are held across the area and it can be challenging to find vendors who are available to set up a booth.

The Park farmers market has been established as a nonprofit which, according to its agreement with the city, has the mission of “inspiring the community through an inclusive, family-friendly market that showcases high quality, locally made food.”

City Councilman Max Wiener said he understood market organizers had been discussing this initiative with businesses in the area, something he told them, “I urge you to continue.”

Schneider said they want to be good neighbors.

“We want it to be good for the businesses, too,” Schneider said.

City Manager Nick Sizeland asked organizers to be mindful of residents in that general area as well.

“It’s about building community,” said City Councilman Timothy Kolar, adding that restoring a farmers market to the Park was one of his goals as a council member.

The council voted unanimously May 13 in favor of an agreement with market organizers to allow them to use the city lot for the market. Kolar, who said he’s a board member of the Park farmers market, recused himself from the vote.

“Thank you,” City Councilman Brent Dreaver told market organizers. “And I can’t wait.”

Others echoed that sentiment.

“Looking forward to it,” City Councilman Marty McMillan said.