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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Pearl Market in Columbus is looking for new farmer participants. Formerly the Lynn and Pearl Alley Markets, the Pearl Market is under new management which includes a full time market manager, part time promotions coordinator and much needed additional resources to breathe a new life into a stagnate market and foster its growth and development.

Within a five-minute walk of the market are over 41,000 office workers, over 1,400 hotel rooms and over 600 occupied condos and apartments. Rudimentary traffic counts estimate between 2,000-3,000 people walk through the market a day. The statistics show great potential for increasing the traffic count by creating a nice, welcoming environment with good products, and spreading the word through better promotions and marketing.

Growers in the central will notice some positive changes for 2008 in the Downtown farmers’ market scene. Operations and promotions have been assumed by Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, a private organization representing approximately 550 property owners in the downtown core dedicated to improving the cleanliness, safety, and vibrancy of downtown.

“As farmers’ markets flourish around the city, state, and country, we feel that Downtown Columbus should not be an exception,” says Adam Schroeder, the new market manager, “Our goal is to create the necessary environment to grow the market into a major attraction in downtown, link the downtown employees and residents with local, fresh produce, and generate a profitable direct marketing channel for growers.”

The Pearl Market will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 through October 31 in Pearl Alley, one block north of the Ohio Statehouse on Broad Street. In addition to produce, merchants such as bakers, jewelers, woodworkers, and food establishments will sell their goods, adding product variety and depth for shoppers.

Enrollment for vendors is an open process and continues throughout the year. Interested growers should contact Schroeder, for an application and additional information. Schroeder can be reached directly at (614) 645-5061 or at AESchroeder@SIDservices.com.