Birmingham Farmers Market

One of my favorite Birmingham traditions is the Farmers Market. Those new to Birmingham don’t know that the Farmers Market is a relatively new addition to Birmingham life. We called one of the founders, City Commissioner Julie Plotnik, and asked her to tell us a bit more as the Farmer’s Market season approaches.

Maureen: The Birmingham Farmer’s market has been a huge success. What will be new in 2007?

Julie: We have had many requests for more organic produce so that will be the biggest focus this year. We are very excited for the completion of Booth Park, that will be a huge addition this year.

Maureen: Will the road work on Old Woodward impact you this summer?

Julie: We are anticipating that the work will be an issue. We will be requesting alternative location approval for the entire city commission in the event we need to move it. Nothing is confirmed yet but we do have a site in mind.

Maureen: How did the Farmer’s Market get started?

Julie: Stephanie Friedman, a Birmingham resident and good friend of mine, was in Santa Monica on vacation and came back with a challenge to me that we should create a market like the one there. When I was unsuccessful in my first bid for city commission we got together with John Heiney from the Principal Shopping District and he contacted Don Hobson our market master and the rest is history.

Maureen: What does it take to keep it going every year? Who works on it?

Julie: Stephanie, me, John Heiney, Don Hobson, Alan Heyman, Jay Shell (birmingham resident and master gardner) and Madison Weisberg (a student who heads up the volunteer booth). We fundraise for at least $10,000 annually.

Maureen: I know you faced some opposition, does everybody love it now?

Julie: There is always opposition to every event. However, the residents of Birmingham and especially the merchants of that area love the market. Many have attributed moving their businesses there to the market.

Maureen: You started in 2001, what were the challenges?

Funding, and finding an organization that was willing to go to bat for us. The Principal Shoppping District stepped up to the plate and really helped us out. I think it has been win-win, as it has really brought traffic to a part of town that was quiet prior to the Farmer’s Market. It has also created a destination for the community on Sunday mornings. We are getting about 1,800 people through on an average Sunday. Many of the merchants there have started to stay open on Sunday which adds to the fun.

It is different because it has food service, the new Booth Park and the Rouge River. When we started that most of those stores were closed on the weekends.

Maureen: How can people contribute?

Julie: We are still accepting more sponsors. If anyone is interested they can contact me at 248.723.6400 or by email at julie@victoryhomeloans.com. We also need volunteers to work at the children’s area and of course we need people to come.

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Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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