Farmer's Market tarps gone

[MarkD]

The matter of the Puna-side lots is getting less attention than it deserves, not in terms of zoning or who should be paying whom, but in terms of what its decline might mean to the whole market area.

The Puna-side area--two large tents had totaled about 3 times the size of the main market--sells products that are much more affected by getting wet. Rain and drizzle don't much bother fruits and veggies. The tent next to the building with the food operation was very large and provided patrons with better walking conditions than the main market.

It was of much interest to tourists, who need time to browse in buying gifts. They can't scurry around in the rain. These vendors will have a harder time adapting to pop-up tents.

Should we ignore the decline of the gift merchant areas across the street and worry only about the main market? IMO they all contributed to the ambiance that we have had in our renowned Hilo Farmers Market.

(The gift vendors compete with downtown stores selling gifts. Maybe that answers the Q.)