Miami Student

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Community

The Oxford Farmers Market Uptown will extend its hours beginning May 3 to give Miami University students time to visit the market.

Although the early shopper gets the goods, the Oxford Farmers Market Uptown (OFMU) is extending its hours to allow late shoppers the opportunity to bring locally-grown goods home with them as well.

Effective May 3, the OFMU will extend its closing time from 11:30 a.m. to noon in an effort to reach more Miami University students, manager Larry Slocum said.

"We felt like staying open a little bit longer would be an advantage because most (students) don't wake up until 11 on Saturdays," Slocum said. "We found that there were a lot of people were coming at 11:30 and we felt like staying open until noon would allow us to bring homegrown, sustainable food to Miami University and the Oxford community."

Mayor Prue Dana acknowledged there were pros and cons for the time change, which led to the city council's discussion of the proposal at its April 1 meeting.

"The extra hour gives families, especially those with children doing activities, a chance to get to the market before it closed," Dana said. "People are just beginning to come uptown around 10 o'clock, so (the market) does a lot of sales in that last hour. The extra half hour helps their sales."

Council member Doug Ross, however, did not support the time change.

"My biggest thing was that (the hours) seemed to work harmoniously in the past," Ross said. "Why change now without supporting evidence that it was a good idea?"

Council members raised concerns about the lack of parking during the lunch hour because of the OFMU, especially with events, such as commencement, approaching.

Other concerns raised during last Tuesday's meeting were regarding the hazards surrounding the construction of Bella Place.

According to Ross, the fact that surrounding businesses were not notified of the time change beforehand concerned him. This, he said, points to the city's "anti-business frame of mind."

"It's just another way the city ignores local businesses," Ross said. "It will just split the divide between the city and the businesses further. Businesses affected will go, 'This is the first I've heard of it,' and will take umbrage with the decision."

Ultimately, the council decided to support the market's proposal because of its economic contribution to the city.

Continued...

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