West Bend Farmers Market Focus Group Notes

Farmers Market Focus Group MeetingMay 15th at 4:00pm
Downtown West Bend Association New Suite 120
Discussions that were had at the meeting – recap
No parking in the Epic Creative Parking Lot, marked on the map with a NO Parking Symbol. – It has been requested that there is to be NO Parking in this parking lot, or you will be towed. We will have
"NO Parking" Yard signs and safety cones to enforce this. Starla’s Seasonings will park as a barricade in the entrance of the parking lot as her stall location. 
Restroom Locations – Please refer to the map. We will have restrooms located on the corner of 6th Ave and Chestnut. As well as, in the Immanuel Parking Lot, there will be signs pointing down the alley behind Fideler Farm stalls. There will be 7 restrooms, including ADA and sinks.
Vehicles Out of the Market by 6:50am. We will be requiring all vehicles to be out of the market that will not be in their stalls. This is included for 1 stall vendors, please drop off your equipment and goods and park outside of the market. You may park on the side streets (unless stated NO PARKING), Immanuel Parking lot, 5th Ave Methodist Church parking lot (if not in use by the Church). If you can park farther away, the better for our guests. 1 stall = no vehicle unless pre-approved by the DWBA Market Manager.
Dogs Allowed in the Market – Dogs are allowed in the market; we are in a public setting. If you notice dogs that are not well behaved, please let the DWBA know immediately, we do have a notice stating “Well Behaved and trained dogs are welcome” in the market. If you DO NOT want a dog at your stall, you are welcome to place a sign stating “No Dogs Allowed” on your tent or table.
Community Officers – We will have 2-3 community officers walking the market each week. If you have any concerns, you can contact the DWBA or an officer.
Barricades – There will be cars as barricades at 6:50am at the corners of 5th and 6th Aves, Poplar Street, and 5th and 6th at the corner of Chestnut. These vehicles will not be able to move until 11:15am to ensure the safety of our vendors and guests. If you would like to be a barricade vehicle, please let us know. Every Saturday morning the DWBA employee that is taking attendance will have a contact sheet for the barricade vehicles, we will need the vendors direct number in case of emergency and the vehicle will need to be moved!
Garbage Cans – The area that we are in does not have garbage cans for our guests, we will have garbage cans in the market for THE GUESTS’ use, please remember that you need to take your garbage with you to be disposed of out of the market.
Added questions –
DWBA Tent will be located at stall #3, #4 is slated for Educational Stalls. If you know of an organization or group that would like to host an educational stall, please have them visit the www.westbendfarmersmarket.com website and click on the tab, “Become a Vendor” they can fill out the Educational Stall form and return to us. (Preferred that the education be along the lines of farming, organic farming, animals, art, or gardening)
Curb Parking – All vendors may NOT park ON the curb, per the West Bend Police Department.
This can add a safety hazard!
Maps – We will have maps to hand out to our guests, for the first couple of weeks, as well as 24x36 A-frame Signs throughout the market. You can visit www.westbendfarmersmarket.com for maps of the market.
Website – Meet the Farmers – Please visit the westbendfarmersmarket.com website and check your listing to be sure that the links work or that we have a link for you. If you would like pictures added, please send them to me at [email protected]
Facebook – I will list all of the seasonal vendors on Facebook with information on your stall, a picture of the map, and links to your Facebook or websites. Please let me know if your links are correct or if you would like anything changed. I do encourage you to tag us in any of your social media @WestBendFarmersMarket so our guests can see your posts. Our Instagram is #DWBAssoc, we have a new intern, Elizabeth that will be working on that, this does go to our Downtown West Bend Association Instagram, as we cannot have 2 Instagram accounts linked.
Ads about the market and the temporary location- We have ads out in many local and surrounding area magazines, online marketing and local news! We will have yard signs out and I was just informed that we are approved to have a banner located near 7th Ave and Hwy 33.
Seasonal Vendor Signs – Seasonal Vendor signs are ready for you to receive. The first sign is free, if you need additional signage, it is $5.00. These are required for seasonal vendors to have placed on their vehicle or tents. We use these for attendance and the guests can find you easily. Please pick up at the DWBA tent at the market, if you have not already received yours. There is a QR Code on your sign that will lead you to The West Bend Farmers Market website. 
Daily, Community and Business Stalls, you are encouraged to use social media with your stall location and tag West Bend Farmers Market, when you will be at our market.
We are beyond excited for the season to begin! We are glad to see our returning vendors and welcome our new vendors to the market! The first couple markets may be a little crazy, but remember to BE KIND, BE PATIENT AND LET’S HAVE A GREAT TIME!
 
Wendy, Gena & Elizabeth