photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Opening day of the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, April 12, 2025.

Although the Lawrence Farmers Market is the longest-running one in the state — operating since 1976 — it has never had its own permanent site.

The market has been held in a handful of places in downtown Lawrence before settling in 2007 at its current location, the parking lot at 824 New Hampshire St. It may be on the move again in the next few years, but Emily Lysen, the director of development for the market, is hoping to find a permanent home for the popular weekend attraction.

City leaders are interested in finding a solution as well. On Tuesday night, city commissioners expressed interest in a proposal as part of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan that would create a permanent location for the market, including a pavilion structure, restrooms and parking. Although the item is unfunded at the moment, if commissioners decide to include the project in the CIP, up to $5.9 million for design and construction costs would be allocated in the city’s long-term infrastructure plan.

Even if the proposal isn’t included in the city’s plans directly, Lysen said that going through the CIP process was a way to get the project “in front of the commissioners and in their minds.”

“We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she added.

The first step for creating a permanent pavilion for the market would be a feasibility study to find the best location, Lysen said. The farmers market received a Kansas Healthy Foods Initiative grant that would help fund that study.

Although the market has been “popping up in parking lots” for decades, Lysen said that model has created some logistical issues that limit the type and number of vendors who can participate. The current market does not have access to electricity or water, which means vendors have to bring their own generators and water sources.

Lysen also said the market has had some “visibility issues” as the development of two apartment complexes around the parking lot has made it tougher for people to see the vendors’ tents.

“Not everyone knows where we’re at,” Lysen said.

Another problem is that one of the apartment buildings recently was sold to a different owner. Before, Lysen said, the market had a deal to allow visitors to access a bathroom in the building. The new owners no longer allow that, which means the nonprofit that runs the market has to provide portable toilets — a change that impacts not only the bottom line but also the visitor experience.

“For a tiny nonprofit, it’s a huge cost for us, but it’s also a step backwards (for visitors) from indoor bathrooms,” Lysen said.

If the market had a permanent location, Lysen said it could solve all those logistical problems, and building a permanent structure would also help with weather concerns. According to Lysen, if it rains, the market generally loses 30% of its customers. She thinks adding a pavilion, which other cities like Ottawa, Leavenworth and Overland Park have, will protect customers and vendors from the elements and could also extend market hours, as shade protection would mean sweltering summer temperatures wouldn’t ruin vendors’ products.

A bigger space would also allow for more and different types of vendors. Lysen said the market has had to turn away vendors like food trucks because of a lack of space.

A permanent structure would make the Saturday market a better experience, Lysen said, and it would also open up opportunities for other days of the week. The feasibility study will explore additional options, including adding a commercial kitchen to help startup businesses or making the market area a food truck hub for downtown.

The feasibility study, which Lysen hopes can start in July, will include a lot of community engagement, as well as providing details about the best sites available and the total costs of the project. Lysen hopes the market will finalize its search for a location by the end of the year.

“We are really excited to move forward and hopefully find this permanent location so that we can really start to do even more in the community,” Lysen said.