Business & Tech

Downtown Farmers Market Moves to West End

Will run Thursdays through October.

The seasonal Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market will move to the West End Village for the month of October beginning Thursday.

This is the second year the market has moved from the central downtown to Fourth Street west of E Street, building on the success of the past.

Joel Eis, owner of Rebound Bookstore at 1611 Fourth St., said the market is a boost for the struggling area.  

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"We hope to provide a chance for folks to come down to the West End and see the local businesses and restaurants as well as enjoy the extended fair," Eis said. "Last year was fun and much appreciated by the community."

Stanley Gibbs, president of the board of the San Rafael Business Improvement District, said it was largely the efforts of West End merchants that inspired the market move.

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"The farmers market brings a lot of people to San Rafael," Gibbs said. 

Eis said this is the first time in 21 years that the market has expanded to benefit the community. The market is a collaboration between the Downtown Business Improvement District, the city and the market presenters.

This smaller version is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a street closure from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., running two blocks beginning at F Street.

It will include farmer's booths with produce, artisanal food, games and fun things for kids as well as a stage for musicians. 

Gibbs said West End merchants have been working with farmers, food producers and crafts people from West Marin in hopes of bringing a different focus to the market.

He said the relocating of the market also makes way for the Mill Valley Film Festival, which opens at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Theatre on Thursday and draws a large audience to the  central downtown.


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