I thought I'd pass this along. Starting today the Farmer's Market at 2nd & South is now on Sundays from 10 to 2. Its at Head House Square under the shambles & is much larger than the Tuesday or Saturday markets.

There were over 20 stands with loads of fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, coffee, handmade soap, chicken, cheese, chocolate, etc. There was so much variety, including Asian vegetables. Its so nice to be able to get fresh vegetables and fruit 3x a week between the various markets. There will still be the market on Saturdays (which will also move next week to the same place as the Sunday market) but it won't be as big. Here is a link for more info:

http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/headhouse/

The market today was lovely. Got myself some fresh cherries for poaching and some fresh basil for pestoing. Had to restrain myself from the breads, sausages, and chocolates, but they all looked lovely.

This Farmers' Market is really first rate. Superb, quality vendors. This is really nice for our neighborhood.

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Philadelphia Maneto

An amazing factioid...

A few years ago the Headhouse wanted to do the same exact thing, but Society Hill Civic Ass-ociation protested because they said trash and rats would flood the area, and the neighborhood would begin to look like italian market.

They only supported it now in the hopes it would get rid of the craft fair.

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Magellan2's prescription:
ATTENTION ALL READERS...
DISCLAIMER: Alesis is a South Street business owner
(keep that in mind when reading his or her responses)

I think Chefs Market put up some sort of stink too...something about the farmers not having to pay taxes and thus gaining and unfair competitive advantage.

South Street Souvlaki rose a similar issue a few years ago against the farmer's market on south and passyunk, because for a short time the mennonites were selling prepared meals-not quite farmer's market material.

The farmers markets are there by a law enacted by the state, so I don't think there's too much anyone can do.

I can see Chef's Market's point to a degree, but I also think more people bring more business for everyone. It gives people a reason to come to our area who normally wouldn't. If you keep garnering a percentage of each population(the punks, the frat kids, the yuppies, the poopoos who'd never be "caught dead on south street", you eventually bring a decent mix of people to further everyone's desires, which makes everyone happier about their bottome line.

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Magellan2's prescription:
ATTENTION ALL READERS...
DISCLAIMER: Alesis is a South Street business owner
(keep that in mind when reading his or her responses)

Okay, this should be interesting . . . what problem do they have with that tiny craft fair? Do they have a problem with the movies that the radio station shows there? Do they not want the Shambles used for anything?

That is likely the problem in a nutshell!

If only they knew what I would want to do there on Saturdays.

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Would you care for some cheese with that whine? PBers possess a gene to whine about everything.

WE'RE PHILADELPHIA, DAMMIT! GET IT? GOOD!

The last SCHA meeting I was at discussing the topic, they called it a "crap fair".

They don't have a problem with the movies, but the last time the headhouse tried to have the annual "jamaican festival" in it, they went balistic...they cited some valid concerns, but I think the underlying reason was a bit obvious from their careful choice of words.

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Magellan2's prescription:
ATTENTION ALL READERS...
DISCLAIMER: Alesis is a South Street business owner
(keep that in mind when reading his or her responses)

And I guess you're not going to share with us!

It's a shame they have such a narrow view. Granted, some of the wares aren't the greatest, but many of the vendors are local artists just trying to get their products out there.

I can understand the concerns for having any kind of festival there . . . aside from the "obvious". It seems like too small and crowded a place to have an event like that, what with how narrow the shambles are, the parking issues, the surrounding businesses, etc. But seriously, a little craft fair, farmers' market and the occasional movie isn't going to destroy the quality of life in precious Society Hill. But I suppose I'm preaching to the choir.