Punta Gorda Farmers Market’s Future Uncertain as City Debates Permit Renewal

The Punta Gorda Farmers Market might shut down after April 30. That's what founder Jerry Presseller says could happen if the city doesn't extend its permit. Vendors gathered at the downtown market on Jan. 17 and voiced worries about what comes next, with many having caught wind that the weekly event could end.

City Manager Melissa Reichert confirmed the Downtown Farmers Market Temporary Use Permit has been approved through April. Council members have told staff to stop giving annual renewals and start issuing permits every three months while they weigh the market's future.

The quarterly renewal gives council flexibility "to make changes in the future, after their discussions, without being locked into a one-year commitment," Reichert said, according to Gulf Shore Business.

Presseller is getting ready for the possibility that the city won't extend the permit. He's looking for backup locations if the event loses its longtime downtown site. As of Jan. 19, he still hadn't received word about whether operations could continue past April 30.

The market has run weekly since 2008, blossoming into one of the city's most popular gatherings. Carol Dembrowski, who operates Tropical Island Kettle Korn with her husband Jim "Kernel" Dembrowski, said the event pulls between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors each Saturday. Lots of vendors count on the farmers market as their main source of income, while longtime customers see it as a weekly meeting spot and social gathering place.

Presseller founded the nonprofit Downtown Merchants Association and created the farmers market to help revive downtown after Hurricane Charley damaged businesses in the area in 2004. After retiring from corporate work, he and his wife Patti ran a deli and art gallery across the street from the gathering.

One of the original vendors still participating is Hernandez Family Produce, which started selling at the market the year it opened. Alonzo Hernandez said he was just 11 years old when his family joined 17 years ago. Now in his late 20s, he helps run the family's produce booths along Taylor Street. Each Saturday, the Hernandez family drives from Plant City, where their farm sits, to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to shoppers.

Beekeeper Don Murray said he'd caught the talk while working his Heritage Pointe Pure Honey booth. "The sign of a successful market is how long vendors have been there," Jim Dembrowski said.

The issue is expected to be raised during City Council member Greg Julian's community meetings scheduled for noon and 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Laishley Park Community Room.