HAYLEY LERCH
News Assistant
The Malibu Farmers’ Market is facing criticism from market vendors and local businesses. The Malibu Planning Commission is considering proposed changes to the market, which is traditionally run by the non-profit Cornucopia Foundation, after a petition was presented to city council.
Zuma Beach Hardware owner Brian Piedro said his business has been affected by the market, which he said was becoming more of a flea market than a farmers’ market.
“Our objection from the get-go is that we supported a farmers’ market in the traditional sense,” Piedro said. “To some degree the fact that they were morphing more and more into an open air market, I’m assuming, was impacting us.”
Piedro’s daughter, Kelsey, represented her father at a recent city council meeting in which market changes were decided upon. A total of 65 percent of the market must consist of certified farmers and the other 35 percent may consist of arts and crafts vendors.
“I would have been much happier had they been told only 10 percent can be giftware, but the world is all about compromise” Kelsey said.
Zuma Beach Hardware is an eclectic store that carries everything from hardware, paint, and electrical supplies to candles, T-shirts and picture frames.
“The vibe in here sort of harkens back to an older time when there were country stores and mom and pop operations,” Piedro said. Visitors can enjoy old-fashioned sodas at the soda bar or play the piano in the store.
While local business owners such as Piedro have concerns about the certification of farmers and the merchandise being sold at the market, market vendors have recently petitioned for changes in market management.
Mark Devlin, creator of the petition, formerly sold jewelry at the farmer’s market. He and roughly 85 vendors signed the petition asking for new management.
Devlin obtained signatures from vendors at a number of local farmers’ markets.
Devlin said he sees the value of the Malibu Farmers’ Market. According to Devlin, his business is flourishing because of the market and therefore he thinks it should continue to exist. Devlin said his jewelry will soon be carried in a number of local stores.
“A lot of the vendors have seen me go from being a small mom and pop sitting behind a folding table in a busted car to a worldwide leader in the fashion industry,” Devlin said. “Therefore they respect my business sense and 40 or 50 vendors have come and asked me for help.”
It is now up to the Malibu Planning Commission to decide whether the Cornucopia Foundation should receive a conditional use permit allowing them to operate the Malibu farmer’s market. Bianco contended that the market is a non-profit operation that benefits the community.
“Our money goes right back here into the town. The second thing is we put merchants first,” Bianco said. “If Taverna Tony’s wants to sell Greek food here, he would take priority.”
Most citizens agree that the farmers’ market should continue.
“For any market it does facilitate a local institution for the community where people can come out on a weekly basis,” Reneika Brooks-McClain of the Malibu Planning Commission said. “They don’t have to consume or buy stuff and it doesn’t require driving very far or spending money.”
02-02-2006
