The 50th Anniversary season of the Downtown Farmers Market concludes on October 11.
Transcript
Jacob Kaye: Christelle and Chucri from Goodies Mediterranean Grill and Cuisine in Syracuse have been at the market for several years. Chucri say business has been
Chucri Ayoub: “dead”
Kaye: Christelle believes some people have stayed away due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 at the farmer’s market.
Christelle: “People are freaked out. if you’re going to get it, you’re going to get it.”
Kaye: Lauren Brown from The Gritty Sisters Soapery in Constantia is back at the market for the second year in a row. Brown isn’t too sure what’s causing the lack of business.
Lauren Brown: “Maybe just a lack of vendors. Not as many vendors down here. Not as much of an attraction for people plus of course there’s not as many people downtown working, but it was the same situation last year, so I’m not sure.”
Kaye: Brown plans on coming back next year but hasn’t made a final decision. Jacob Kaye, N-C-C News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – As the Syracuse Downtown Farmers Market winds down, vendors witnessed a relatively quiet season compared to previous years. Christelle and Chucri Ayoub from Goodies Mediterranean Grill and Cuisine in Syracuse. They have been in business for 13 years and have been at the market for several years.
When I asked Chucri Ayoub to describe how this year’s farmers’ market compares to the last couple of years he said “dead.” According to Ayoub, the farmer’s market used to be way busier mainly due to the number of vendors.
“This whole street used to be filled with like you couldn’t even walk between the tents,” said Christelle.
Christelle suggests some people may have stayed away due to the fear of contracting COVID-19 at the farmer’s market.
Linda Holihan of Petit Nosh, a Syracuse-based food truck that serves brunch is at the market for the second year.
“It’s been a little slow (financially). I don’t know if people aren’t working downtown as much or if they don’t know that we’re here,” Holihan said.
Holihan really enjoys being at the market and would like to come back next year, but she wants to see the market how she remembers it being.
“It was packed all the time through the whole season,” Holihan said.
Lauren Brown from The Gritty Sisters Soapery in Constantia is also back at the market for the second year in a row. Brown suggests the lack of vendors may be a contributing factor to the lack of people at this year’s market.
“Maybe just a lack of vendors. Not as many vendors down here. Not as much of an attraction for people plus of course there’s not as many people downtown working, but it was the same situation last year, so I’m not sure,” Brown said.
The Downtown Farmers Market concludes on October 11th. To celebrate and thank all who have come out to The Market this season, Downtown Committee staff and volunteers will be handing out donuts from Glazed & Confused.