Englewood Farmer’s Market closing due to area construction

Reporter: Erika Jackson Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
englewood lot
Credit: WINK News

A farmer’s market in Southwest Florida was supposed to start its season in just a few weeks, but instead, it’s closing.

The Englewood Farmer’s Market was forced to close its doors permanently due to construction nearby.

Gerald Schimpl tends to stop at the Englewood Farmer’s Market every week. His Firebread Food Truck serves one-of-a-kind sandwiches. “Here in Englewood, it’s a different place here. It’s very unique. It’s different to the other cities. This is what we like here.”

He’s going to need a new spot to park his food truck in on Thursdays in the fall because the farmer’s market is closing. It will cancel the upcoming season due to nearby roadwork.

“It’s a couple of weeks before it’s starting the season to get the information. OK. The farmers market is not starting. It’s very hard for all,” Schimpl said.

This is the first time vendors won’t be able to fill this lot in a decade.

“It was right next door to us. It was an extremely busy day, it was great,” said Marie Laforge, co-owner of Mango Bistro, which is next door to the market’s lot.

Laforge doesn’t think the farmer’s markets closure will impact her bottom line.

“We did have a lot of customers that day. But we still have a lot of customers other days.”

Unfortunately, two alternate locations for the Englewood Farmer’s Market fell through. Schimpl is hoping the Dearborn Street staple will bounce back somehow.

“In the future, we will miss Englewood a lot,” he said.

Other nearby farmer’s markets in Englewood still plan on operating regularly. They recognize they may not see as many customers this fall because of the construction.

The Englewood Community Redevelopment Advisory Board wants to continue the farmer’s market. They hope to find a nonprofit to reopen the market in a temporary location until the construction is finished.

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