Mendota Heights Farmers Market Plans Taking Shape

Plans for a in Mendota Heights are taking shape, and planners are still eyeing a September start date.

A steering committee of six has been researching when a farmers market could be held, when it could start yet this year, its location within The Village, and how to deal with the logistics and liability of vendors and shoppers converging weekly to buy and sell fresh produce and other products.

“Nothing’s been set in stone, no firm decisions have been made,” said organizer Ann Ulrich at Tuesday night’s Mendota Heights City Council meeting.  Ulrich is also a co-owner of in The Village.

The committee is considering a weekly market on Thursdays or Fridays, scheduled to bridge both afternoon and evening, 3-6:30 p.m. or 4-7 p.m.

If the market can get running this year, the goal would be to open the week after Labor Day, said Ulrich.

Issues that still need to be resolved:

• Placement of the market, and how it will affect and take advantage of parking at The Village

• Road closures, and how school traffic from Henry Sibley may be affected

• Gaining support from Village tenants

• Insurance, and clearing plans with the fire and police departments

Council members were generally enthusiastic, but guided Ulrich to work with staff to gain support from the city as well as the community. City Administrator David McKnight said that there would be some “quick timelines” that would need to be met to get a conditional use permit in place for a September opening.