Work at the Guy Center and other city projects make it impossible
By Barb Pert Templeton
A decision on whether to move the Marine City Farmer’s Market to a new location or just cancel the market for the season has been made and it was announced in a Facebook post on the City of Marine City page this morning, June 24.
“After careful consideration, the city has made the difficult decision to cancel the Marine City Farmers Market for the 2026 season,” wrote City Clerk Jason Bell who was responsible for the market along with Deputy Clerk Carol Brown.
As construction and renovation activities continue at the Guy Community Center the city was unable to make the logistics work in a way that would provide the quality experience the vendors and patrons deserve.
“We explored several alternative locations and layouts in an effort to keep the market operating this season, but unfortunately we were unable to identify a site that could adequately meet the needs of our vendors, visitors, parking, accessibility, and overall market operations,” Bell wrote. “Rather than offer a market that would not be viable or successful, we felt it was best to pause operations for this season.”
Organizers noted that the decision was not an easy one and the good news that the halting of the market is only temporary.
“We are excited to return in 2027 at a newly renovated Guy Community Center, and we’re already planning some exciting new additions and surprises to make the market better than ever,” Bell said.
Commission recently addressed the topic
At the June 18th meeting of the Marine City Commission officials discussed whether or not to have a Farmer’s Market this summer. At that time, Bell stated that although it was a tough pill to swallow, the city would likely halt the Thursday Farmer’s Market this summer.
Organizers did look at other locations but since they had interest from more vendors, making it work at a new location wasn’t going to be feasible, Bell said.
“It’s a good problem to have (additional vendors) so to make that work in the different locations that we looked at wasn’t possible,” Bell said. “We will be back in 2027 and be better than we were in 2025.”
On June 24 the City of Marine City posted this flyer on their Facebook page to announce the cancellation of the 2026 Farmer’s Market due to construction at the Guy Community Center.
Commissioner Trish May asked if cancelling the market was a done deal? She suggested a parking area at the end of Broadway Street and Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Hendrick said or even at 300 Broadway, old city hall.
Bell replied that the parking lot at the end of Broadway wouldn’t be large enough and 300 Broadway had too many unknowns related to the building as it’s for sale. He said they also considered parking at the library but that’s limited too and then there’s an issue of traffic on South Parker Street.
“It is a possibility, logistically it’s supposed to start in two weeks as well, but we could have a shorter season this year,” Bell said. “Yet then we run into produce vendors who don’t have produce as the weather gets warmer or colder into the fall.”
“I’ve exhausted every option I have,” he added.
May said what about the parking lot right across the street from the Guy Center? Bell said he and other city employees have tried to contact that property owner via phone and email with no luck.
“He’s not responding, it’s private property,” City Attorney Robert Davis added.
Hendrick said what about the Sunoco Station, that owner is always offering his property for use for different things.
“We’ve thought about that as well but that comes at a cost to the city so what you’re making from the vendor booths you’re putting right back into it,” Bell said. “And that was the advantage of having it at the community center because the money you brought went right back into the community center and into those funds for maintenance.”
Commissioner Sean O’Brien said he realizes the situation at 300 Broadway is up in the air right now but he can’t image anything happening “super quickly” there. He said he hoped the city would consider hosting the market at the old city hall at 300 Broadway.
“We can look into it,” Bell said, at the meeting. “We didn’t want to see it die last year when we acquired the building (Guy Center) and we worked hard at bringing it to the people for the 2025 season and I think there needs to be some changes, we learned some things along the way.”
