Cambridge City business owners, volunteers and town council members are working together to modify a recently announced farmers market site.
At February’s meeting, council approved Cambridge City Main Street’s request to move the market to the first block of North Foote Street to attract U.S. 40 traffic.
However, Paul and Pam Fowler, who recently bought National Road Antique Mall, asked council during its March 10 meeting to consider nearby merchants’ concerns and find a new spot.
Paul Fowler said customers continually load/unload merchandise, so reducing spaces could impact safety and discourage patronizing nearby shops and restaurants. Tourists travel by car, so parking access is key, he said.
One resident noted seeing more people with mobility challenges in recent years and doesn’t want them to skip local offerings if they don’t see accessible parking.
The road closure could also negatively affect the new Legato coffee and bakery that just opened on the next corner, Fowler said, plus Chicago’s Pizza and No. 9 Grill.
Council should prioritize brick-and-mortar stores that provide steady employment, property taxes and nonprofit donations over temporary merchants on Saturday mornings for five months, Fowler said.
In recent years, the market was around the U.S. 40 gazebo, but large vehicles outgrew that space. Extending onto South Foote is challenging because Lumpy’s Cafe opens at 6 a.m. Saturdays.
CCMS leaders previously suggested North Foote was ideal because the law office, paint store and tattoo studio wouldn’t be impacted by a morning road closure, and market shoppers could buy coffee and baked goods at Legato and browse shops.
No matter where the market lands, Police Chief Richard Roberts said yellow curb paint wore off on North Foote alongside the mall, so addressing illegal parking would improve the corner’s safety.
Last year, the Fortman family provided access to its lot next to American Legion Post 169 for one year, but Lewis said a permanent market site is needed that offers more visibility.
Councilor Jim King said he might be able to secure use of a lot next to a building that he co-owns containing apartments and MediCenter Pharmacy in the next block if there’s enough street parking for pharmacy customers.
Interested parties support working together and will gather to finalize a location before council’s 6 p.m. April 14 meeting.
Council President Jim McLane said a compromise could be reached to draw market shoppers downtown while accommodating stores, nearby apartment residents and two Saturday special events.
In other business
- Council agreed to enter a three-party contract with Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce and Cambridge City Main Street to split the cost of NLBC’s downtown Wi-Fi improvements.
- Council agreed to pay Pridemark Construction $24,410.25 for materials to start construction on the performance venue behind the fire station. Funds are coming from a grant.
- Council referred a potential solution for a zoning concern for an existing home in an industrial area to the town’s plan commission, which will conduct a public hearing at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in town hall. The proposal would amend the town’s ordinance to allow a nonconforming home to be rebuilt if damaged.
A version of this article appeared in the March 19 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.