The Tacoma Farmers Market’s board of directors has voted to place its Dome District location on a hiatus for the 2008 season. The Market has staged a weekly Tuesday evening market across East 25th Street from Freighthouse Square for the past three seasons.
“The board came to its decision about the Dome District after an intensive review,” said Richard Hines, Tacoma Farmers Market (TFM) board president. “We are grateful to the loyal vendors, shoppers, and sponsors who have supported this market, but the profitability is just not there yet.”
Despite significant investment of market resources — both human and financial — the Dome location has not reached a critical mass of shoppers.
“We realized that this market location may be ahead of its time,” Hines said. “We want to look at it again when there is more population density and a base of shoppers directly in and around the Dome neighborhood who are committed to having their own market.”
Meanwhile, during 2008, TFM will focus its attention on the shoppers and vendors at its flagship Broadway location, which is heading into its 18th season downtown.
Additionally, the board will be further developing its new partnership with the Proctor Farmers Market. This collaboration, the Federation of Tacoma Farmers Markets, is designed to build a farmers market culture in the city by strengthening existing markets and supporting the creation of new markets in other neighborhoods.
In late 2008, the TFM Board of Directors will review the status of the Dome District location again and make an announcement.