Displaced Lawrence Farmers’ Market vendors find new home at Cottin’s Farmers’ Market

In a last-minute change of plans, the Lawrence Farmers’ Market Thursday vendors will sell their produce today after all — just not at their previously planned location.

Produce vendors who expected to be at the market’s former Westside location — the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive — have been invited to set up at the Cottin’s Farmers’ Market, which is open from 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. today outside the hardware store at 1832 Mass.

Store owner Linda Cottin said she offered the option to produce vendors because they “had things they couldn’t put back in the ground.”

“We have very limited space,” she said. “Everybody’s going to squeeze together.”

Market planners announced late Wednesday that the market had lost its Westside home following an ownership change at the shopping center.

“Our Sixth and Wakarusa location is no longer a viable option,” Pam Bramlett, market coordinator, said in a follow-up email. “We would like to thank the community for offering us so many potential homes, after hearing of our unexpected need to move.”

Many businesses and organizations contacted the market and offered locations with higher visibility than Sixth and Wakarusa, Bramlett said.

“This is going to be a very positive move,” she said.

Organizers said they hoped to announce a new permanent home for the Westside market location soon.