BY MIKE REILLY

City Hall Park in downtown Burlington bustles on summer Saturdays, thanks in large part to both the Burlington Farmers' Market and the Summer Artist Market. Though separate entities and independently coordinated, the two markets share roughly the same season and complement one another as sources of economic, social and cultural activity.

The downtown Burlington Farmers' Market launched its 27th season with a new look that manager Sue Johnson feels made it more inviting. Johnson describes the new set-up as featuring "vendors on the outside of a triangle in the park." She says so far it appears to be drawing new customers and bringing back some who had stopped coming. The primary change involved dropping the previous set-up of vendors on both sides of the sidewalk along College Street in favor of a single row with backs to the street. Johnson says that sidewalk had become badly congested in recent years.

"Changing the set-up was a gamble," says Johnson, "but we knew we had a major congestion issue." So far, the gamble is paying off. Gross sales are way up over the first five weeks of the 2007 season, typically the slowest weeks of the year, according to Johnson. "We grossed over $120,000 during the first five weeks this year, which is triple last year's start." She acknowledges the weather was better this season compared to the first five weeks last year, but says the pace is still at least $40,000 ahead of any of the previous four years.

Johnson, in her seventh year as market manager, is also a vendor. She offers homemade cookies, yarn, and sheep products from her Meadowland Farm. Johnson reports the re-configuration was initially a six-week trial, subject to member approval. "This market is a serious democratic society," she states, " and all changes require a majority vote of the owners.

The Burlington Farmers' Market includes 60 total vendors, with an average of 45 to 50 venders on the site on any given weekend. Johnson says she accepts applications for new vendors from January to mid-March, and gets 50 to 80 inquiries each year.

The market provides a local outlet and consumer link for producers. It leases park space from the Burlington Department of Parks and Recreation, with the intent of providing primarily an agricultural market. The market's by-laws require that no fewer than 40 percent of its vendors be agricultural, and its lease with the City caps the allowable percentage of craft vendors at 35 percent.

The market is comprised of agricultural vendors, selling food, fiber, plants or flowers grown in Vermont by the vendor or the vendor's employees; prepared food vendors, selling ready-to-eat food or drink prepared by them in a Vermont home kitchen; and craft vendors, offering items that do not qualify as either agricultural or prepared food but are handcrafted in Vermont in the vendor's home or shop.

During the trial period, Johnson reports vendors voted overwhelmingly to stick with the new configuration. "Everyone seems to like their spot now. With this new set-up, all the spaces are neutral, or equal." Johnson adds feedback has been positive from both customers and vendors.

Cave Moose Farm sells organic produce and cut flowers at the market. Owner Laura Sorkin says she is very happy with the new layout. "It opens up the park, and gives a feeling of community and inclusiveness."

Both new and more established vendors seem content. Dave and Jenny Rooke are in their first year at the market with their Rookie's Homemade Root Beer stand. "We make it ourselves in our New North End home," says Mrs. Rooke. She says the market is working out well for them, and adds that their root beer is also on tap at a number of area restaurants, including American Flatbread.

Jane Pomykala says her Pomykala Farm booth is one of those with most seniority, bringing fresh vegetables from Grand Isle since 1981. Pomykala agreed that the new configuration is an improvement and noted the congestion of the previous set-up was becoming dangerous. Pomykala emphasized it was important to include all vendors in the process. "We come from all over, so it's hard to coordinate a decision. We have to make sure it's fair to everyone."

Johnson says part of the success of the market is owed to its processes and guidelines, "which we tweak each year." In the wake of a successful redesign, she says members will continue to seek ways to enhance the market.

She notes the market plans to do a "rapid market assessment" this summer, using a number of weekends to ask for customer feedback on topics from whether or not they are local, how often they visit or plan to visit the market, and other businesses or activities they plan to enjoy on their trip. "We want information on our customers for direct feedback on the market, but also the positive economic impact we may have on Church Street and other area businesses," says Johnson.

Johnson says the market is forming a Five- Year Plan committee. She says, "According to the Farmers' Market Handbook, we could support a market of double to triple this size." Not necessarily committed to expansion, she said the committee could consider a variety of models.

Summer Artist Market

The Summer Artist Market, a program of Burlington City Arts (BCA), is thriving in its fifth year on the outdoor plaza behind the Firehouse Gallery. Weather permitting, the Artist Market operates every Saturday from late May through late October. Katie Attanasio, gallery manager at BCA's Firehouse Gallery, coordinates the market.

Attanasio says the market provides an open-air venue for local artists and handcrafters to display and sell their work. "It's one very tangible thing you can point to that Burlington City Arts does for local artists," she says.

According to Attanasio, local vendors offer unique, handcrafted art including textiles, pottery, jewelry, paintings, paper arts and more through the market. She emphasizes it is a community-oriented place that offers live artist demonstrations along with opportunities to meet artists and purchase local art.

Attanasio reports the Market started somewhat organically and has grown to include about 40 vendors. She says all new vendors are juried into the Market. "There is an application process. The artists supply samples or photo samples of their work."

Attanasio states the jury process ensures a high standard of professionalism in the market, and that reflects a high level of respect for both artists and their association with the gallery.

The Artist Market plays a vital economic and cultural role for both artists and community according to Attanasio. "There's a real trend toward handcrafted items now. A number of artists who succeed at this market have gone on to start their own businesses." She adds that a location near the thriving Church Street Marketplace offers local artists exposure to a bustling retail hub without the expense of a storefront. Proximity to the nearby Farmers Market also greatly increases traffic and adds to the community flavor of the venue.

Just as important, Attanasio says the Summer Artist Market contributes vibrancy and needed originality to the downtown commercial scene.

Karen Klinefelter, a jewelry designer in her third summer at the Artist Market, acknowledges it as a vehicle for local artists to share their work with the community and benefit economically. "Being here gets me great local exposure, and also allows me to show my work to tourists."

Owner of Klinefelter Studio on Pine Street in Burlington, Klinefelter says, "This was my first attempt at doing a craft show atmosphere. For me, and I think for other artists, it's a very non-intimidating way to get involved."

Missy Bly joined the Artists Market in its initial year. She notes her Clean Bee Soaps is the only consumable product. "I think of myself as a gateway between the Farmers Market and Artists Market," she says. Bly, who also sells reconstituted paper made from old bills, junk mail and other discarded paper, says the Artists Market offers "the chance to meet and talk with people one-on-one."

Burlington City Arts has served the community as both a department of the City of Burlington and as an independent not-for-profit organization for over 25 years. The Summer Artist Market fits within BCA's stated vision of fusing a dynamic relationship between the arts and community, nurturing creativity and imagination, and igniting a passion for learning through the arts.