It is important to note that the Kirkland Wednesday Market is a Kirkland Downtown Association sponsored event. The intent was to have a weekly community event that would bring people downtown, not only to have fresh fruits and vegetables, but to bring shoppers to local businesses.

The original location was close to the Transit Center to enable bus riders to shop at the market. Construction of the transit center forced the market to find a temporary new home. Marina Park is too far from transit, the weather is bad and the vendors did not do as well in the new location. The decision to move to Park Lane put the market as close to the original location as possible.

One of the tenets of the market is to have no competing vendors with downtown business. In consideration, Veraci Pizza was not able to return. There are two pizza places in close proximity to the KWM, Zeeks and Amici. The market was intended to support local business, not compete.

Christina Martin, the new market manager has worked hard to support local business while working in pretty tight constraints on Park Lane. Christina has been involved in the KWM since its inception; she is the owner of Blue Cottage jams and sat on the market board for many years. She brings a wealth of experience to the market.

While no location is perfect and not everyone understands the issues and reasons behind change, the bottom line is: support your local farmers by supporting your local market.

Kellie Jordan, former president of KWM Board