Farmers' Market Could Drum Up Business For Downtown Reading

READING, MA — A farmers' market could play an integral role in bringing people to downtown Reading, Selectman Carlo Bacci said at Tuesday's Select Board meeting.

Bacci relayed a conversation he had with the Climate Advisory Committee about what it would take to bring a market to the Town Common, and how it could successfully generate business for area vendors.

"That's the key word: successful," Bacci said. "We don't want to just throw a farmers' market together."

Bacci suggested taking a look at nearby markets this year, adding that a proposal being developed with the Steering Committee for a downtown Business Improvement District is supportive of the idea if the bid is formalized.

Bacci, who has participated in farmers' markets as the owner of CB Stuffer, said the endeavor is a "pretty big undertaking" and whoever runs it would need to be compensated. He proposed a weekend farmers' market starting next year.

"I know the residents would support it," Bacci said.

Select Board Chair Karen Herrick said she was supportive of the idea.