10/17/2012
Isaac Guerrero, RRStar

ROCKFORD — Rockford City Market capped its third season Friday by setting an attendance record. Now, organizers want your help to make the event better next year. All you have to do is take a survey at rockfordcitymarket.com by the end of the day Saturday. Your feedback will help the Rock River Development Partnership deliver the type of market experience you want in 2013 and beyond. The nonprofit agency, headed by SupplyCore CEO Peter Provenzano, stages the weekly market with help from the city, the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the River District Association. The market was held every Friday from June 1 through Oct. 12, from 3 to 8 p.m. before Labor Day and 3 to 7 p.m. after Labor Day. It’s staged on Water Street between State and Jefferson streets. The market featured growers and vendors who sold natural products such as vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheeses, flowers, herbs, baked goods, wine and healthy snacks, as well as artisans and vendors with unique offerings. Most vendors and performers come from within a 150-mile radius, ensuring locally grown produce and unique retail items. How popular is the market? Attendance this year was 57,186, a 46 percent increase from 39,142 in 2012. The record high temperatures this summer didn’t deter the crowds. Five weeks this season saw attendance exceed 4,000 and seven weeks saw attendance eclipse 3,000. The market dealt with much cooler weather and even some rain after Labor Day, but attendance still hovered between 1,400 and 1,950 on three of those weeks. What’s the survey for? Market coordinator Cathy McDermott said 426 people have taken the City Market patron survey as of Wednesday. The survey contains 22 questions designed to help organizers better understand the people who visit the market, including how much they spend, what kind of vendors they like the best, and what else they do downtown before and after the market. “We use the information to tweak what we offer,” McDermott said. “We hear things from patrons but it’s good to see it in writing. Last year, we heard a lot of demand from people for longer hours and we extended the market this year to 8 p.m.” What’s next for City Market? If all goes well, a fall and winter version of the market could open indoors next autumn or in early 2014. McDermott said the Rockford City Council will soon entertain a contract for architectural services to transform a cluster of adjacent building spaces that sprawl west from a Madison Street storefront into a multi-level indoor market venue. Outdoors, there are plans to add permanent bathrooms, gateways, better electrical service, lighting and shade sails on the municipal parking deck at East State and Water streets. The improvements are made possible by $2.5 million worth of state River Edge grants. The city and Rock River Development Partnership are exploring potential funding from historic tax credits, too. The envisioned indoor market would have a slightly different look and feel than the outdoor version. It might be a place where you can buy fresh food or products that you consume on a daily or weekly basis such as flours or coffee and chocolates. Ethnic foods could be part of the mix, too, and the indoor market may even feature an anchor business. Music and other programs, such as cooking demonstrations, live trivia and games also may play a role. Isaac Guerrero: 815-987-1361; iguerrero@rrstar.com; @isaac_rrs


For More Information:
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