Clearwater’s Gateway Farmers Market withers on vine
CLEARWATER — After a debut that rubbed some property owners the wrong way, the Clearwater Gateway Farmers Market has been put into the deep freeze — and it may be permanent.
A state grant has run out and city economic development officials won’t commit money for the next year until they see whether market managers can mend fences with Nature’s Food Patch and other businesses in Cleveland Plaza at Cleveland Street and Missouri Avenue.
In its first season, the Saturday market drew nearly 16,000 customers from the beginning of January to the end of May. But it also angered merchants who said market visitors took their parking spaces and frustrated regular customers.