VIRGINIA BEACH — After years of squeezing into a narrow L-shaped restaurant parking lot, vendors of the Old Beach Farmers Market will soon be able to stretch out in a spacious new location.
The venerable neighborhood market known for its fresh local produce, baked goods, meats and flowers is moving a block south to 18th Street starting Aug. 3.
Tents will be set up between Cypress and Mediterranean avenues next to the newly-refurbished 18th Street ViBe parklet.
“That one long linear block is almost going to be like an arcade for everybody,” said Duff Kliewer, a co-founder of the market and president of the board of directors. “It’s going to be interesting to see how some of the vendors who have been cramped in the rear section of the Croc’s lot will have a little more space.”
Old Beach Farmers Market began 16 years ago with a couple of vendors in the parking lot of Croc’s 19th Street Bistro. It now has 50 vendors, and the new spot will have space for even more. The market is held most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
“We knew we would grow, and we were trying to figure out where we could grow,” said Laura Wood, who also co-founded the market.
In recent years, the market spilled onto 19th Street, requiring a section of the thoroughfare to be closed. Emily Archer, city project development administrator, collaborated with the farmers market organizers on the relocation within the ViBe Creative District.
Traffic from events at the convention and sports centers will be improved with the market moving a block away, Archer said.
The city is wrapping up improvements to the 18th Street area, including new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, bicycle facilities, on-street parking and crosswalks. The $10 million project spans three blocks on 18th Street from Cypress to Arctic avenues and two blocks of Cypress Avenue from 17th to 19th streets. Work to improve the 18th Street parklet, or mini-park, was completed two months ago. It features a winding treed path flanked with local artwork.
“Before, there used to be ditches on the side of the road; now, there are nice wide sidewalks and is more accessible,” Archer said. “It’s much more conducive for events.”
The Old Beach Art and Eco markets will continue to be held in the larger ViBe park on 18th Street, behind Wareing’s Gym. The city recently relocated the original Neptune Park stage canopy to the ViBe park stage, where live music is performed during the market events.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
