Letter from Ellen Pope

Farmers’ Market Will Not Relocate

Kudos to “The Freeman’s Journal” for reviving coverage of municipal meetings at the village, town and county levels. Democracy starts at the grassroots level!

I am writing in response to your September 3 article on the Cooperstown Village Trustees August meeting, not to correct the author’s coverage, which was highly factual. I want to set the record straight on the operations of the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market during the stormwater management/re-paving project planned for Pioneer Alley in late spring 2027.

At the August trustees meeting, a presentation was made regarding the former CVS building at 100 Main Street, stating that the owner’s hope is that it would be ready in time for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market to “move in” during the alley re-paving project. Please know that the market will be staying right where we are.

We know the upcoming re-paving project will be messy, inconvenient at times, and require flexibility from market vendors, staff, and customers. But we are committed to welcoming customers and visitors as warmly as ever to our home in the heart of Pioneer Alley during the construction period and will do our best to ensure accessibility for all.

As our loyal market customers know, the year-round Cooperstown Farmers’ Market is pretty special in its people and its offerings. Thanks to The Scriven Foundation, we are so fortunate to have as our home a fabulous 1920s former auto garage that has developed over 35 years into a beloved gathering space for locals, visitors, and market vendors, where overhead heaters cut the chill on a January morning; dedicated electric outlets per stall allow vendors to serve hot food, sharpen knives, chill fresh meats and cheeses, and brew small batch roast coffee to enjoy as customers pick up their weekly produce and other goodies. A small stage provides live music, and dedicated Wi-Fi allows vendors and customers electronic payment options, including SNAP with up to a $40.00 match.

If you have not yet discoverewd the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, take a moment to stop in on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December and noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through September, and stick with us through the construction. We’ll be happy to see you.

Ellen Pope
Executive Director
Otsego 2000