The dilemma over the location of the weekly Ketchum Farmers' Market, which had been fermenting over the past few weeks, was resolved before requiring the City Council's intervention. The council had scheduled discussion of the matter for Monday's upcoming meeting.
The market, which takes place throughout the summer every Tuesday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on Fourth Street between Walnut and East avenues, had been the subject of a gathering debate as of late.
"We just want it organized so that it works for everyone," said Debbie Burns, owner of the clothing shop Burnsie's Boca and co-chair of the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission. "I don't lose business, but how it was noticed was inconsiderate."
Burns said that she received no notification from the city that the event would be happening on the block in front of her store this summer as it had the previous year.
However, the city is in the midst of putting the final touches on an amendment to the special events code that would rectify the problem by notifying all neighboring businesses, rather than simply the property owners, when an event requires a street closure. The Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau will also put the event on its calendar so that its members have proper notification.
City Planner Mark Goodman said that the council would likely make the code amendment official in August.
In the meantime, market manager Lynea Newcomer said that she reached a compromise with Burns on Tuesday, agreeing to extend the market further east on Fourth Street in order to bring the foot traffic in front of more businesses.
"We're in a positive place now," Newcomer said in an interview on Thursday. "Together we make the whole street a happening place."
Burns said that with proper notice she can take full advantage of the event by putting racks of clothes in front of her store and by holding her own attractions, as evidenced by the dance classes in action this past Tuesday.
However, she also said that the city should take a look at the types of vendors that are setting up on the street.
"We need to look at if we should allow vendors that are competing directly with existing businesses along the street," Burns said.
Burns said that although she's fine with the location for this summer, she thought it should be rotated around Fourth Street so as not to keep the impact on the same businesses year after year.
"The street closure on a main thoroughfare impedes circulation," Burns said of the weekly Fourth Street closure.
Burns also said that Town Plaza, where the market was held two years ago, could make a good location.
"I understand that she'll probably want the market to relocate next year, but I would like to prove that its current location is working well for everyone," Newcomer said.
