Organizers of Catonsville's Wednesday farmers' market are expecting one of their best seasons yet this summer.
Not only have they added a couple of new vendors to the lineup, but the market has a new space as well.
For more than 10 years, the market's weekly home had been the parking lot of the Bloomsbury Community Center on Bloomsbury Avenue.
But a year ago, when it was announced that Catonsville Elementary School would be moving from its current location on Frederick Road to that Bloomsbury Avenue site, market master Cindy Yingling knew the farmers' market would have to find somewhere else to go, or else close shop.
"We couldn't just wait until the last minute," she said. "We asked a lot of our customers for recommendations."
After speaking with numerous other potential hosts, market staff decided on the parking lot at the Christian Temple, at 5820 Edmondson Ave.
The site, Yingling said, was a perfect fit. "It's actually going to be a better space," she said. "It has nice visibility from Edmondson Avenue."
Earlier this month, the winter market moved its operations to the church. Vendors and customers are still adjusting, but Yingling said the experience has been positive so far. The summer market, which includes about 14 vendors each Wednesday morning, will open May 6.
In the church's main parking lot, the market is surrounded by Edmondson Avenue and Academy Road on two sides, the church building on one and a large playground and residential neighborhood on another.
Customer Lisa Vicari said she has been shopping at the market for as long as it has been in operation. She said she comes every week and the new spot, she said, won't hinder her shopping plans.
A possible drawback is that she did have to navigate an easier way into and out of the lot along busy Edmondson Avenue.
On April 22, she traveled to the Edmondson Avenue site to pick up a few things at the winter market.
"I think you're going to get a lot of new people," she said, pointing to the neighboring playground and residential streets. "I think it's a good spot."
The market's regulars will travel to the new location for the plants, produce and other goods they can purchase at the market, Yingling said. The hope is that new customers may notice the market this summer and decide to stop in.
"If you can get people to come out in 10-degree weather, customers to come out, that says something about you," she said.
This year's new vendors will include a coffee grinder and, potentially, a vendor of cut flowers.
Robert Audia has been selling plants and produce from his Hampstead farm for more than two years at the Wednesday market. The planting season was delayed this year due to the winter, he said, but he's looking forward to this summer's market season.
When he found out last year that the market would be moving, he was prepared to follow. In the two weeks he's been at the new site, having seen a couple of cars stopping after spotting the market from the road and seeing a couple of families walk in off the road, he said, he's optimistic about the market's future.
"I expect business to get better," he said, lamenting the Bloomsbury parking lot's location sometimes made it difficult to see the vendors from the road. "We're more visible here."
A veteran of farmers' markets — he and his family make their living solely off their farm — market moves can make or break a market, he said.
"It all depends on where you're moving to," he said.
The summer market kicks off May 6 and runs every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until the end of November.
For information, go to catonsvillefarmersmarket.com.