It’s all about the foot traffic, said Farmers Market organizer Bee Bullock.
Or, lack of it.
“If the market picks up this week, I can convince vendors to stay,” she said.
Bullock said the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday market at Stagestop Marketplace is suffering – more people would come if there were more vendors, and more vendors would come if there were more shoppers.
“A lot of local vendors who are on the fence about doing the market come and check it out, then they don't come back because they see the slow foot traffic,” she said.
And, while members of the public want to see more produce, Bullock said it’s difficult to provide too much if not enough people are buying.“We have produce from Slaw Produce and Bravo Farms, however they each bring enough inventory to make about $300 at Sunday market, because there isn't enough foot traffic for them to bring more,” she said. “If they bring more, they may get stuck with it and lose money.”
Bullock, who is a former Maricopa resident and runs Buzznbeez Good Food Truck with her husband Christina Buze, said her dream is to have a year-round market in Maricopa, but it’s a struggle.
“A few of my vendors who have been coming loyally told me they will give it another couple weekends, but they won't be able to continue to come back when they aren't making money,” she said.
Stagestop Marketplace is at 44301 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.
