The Friends of Koreshan State Park reported on their Facebook page that they will be re-opening their Sunday Market at a new location starting Sunday, September 17. Starting at 8:00 am until 1:00 pm, you can now obtain locally produced goods, food and art at Three Oaks Town Center, located at 18731 Three Oaks Parkway, just south of Three Oaks Park.
Updated Sept. 13, 2023
Original Article:
Engage Estero is aware that the management of the Koreshan State Park on Corkscrew Road in Estero, Fl, has decided to end the weekly Farmers Market held there every Sunday morning for over a decade.
by Allan Bowditch, Engage Estero’s Chief Communications Officer originally published on: July 25, 2023
The Market is organized by the Friends of Koreshan, a local non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the preservation and upkeep of the park. The move to close the market surprised the vendors, patrons, and market organizers.
Todd Johnson, who owns the Artisan Bread Company in Fort Myers, is one of the vendors who has been participating in the market for nearly ten years. He told Engage Estero that about a dozen vendors were committed to coming to the market for a similar period. While others had traded there more recently, they show up regularly every Sunday for their loyal customers.
Todd mentioned, “I began this week to tell my regular patrons that the last Sunday in July would be our last market and was not surprised to see anger and confusion on every face. No one can see any logic in shutting down what has become a ritual for many.”
Todd asked Engage Estero to bring this matter to residents’ attention and hopes that once the public knows this market might be gone forever, they will consider acting to reverse the decision. Todd said, “Please visit the market this Sunday, July 30th. It would be great if the public and reporters would attend, bringing their cameras, etc., to talk to Zach Lozano, the park manager. Hopefully, there may be an opportunity to reverse the decision. I don’t know all the factors being weighed to make this decision, but I’m sure he does. Maybe there is some reasonable explanation, but if so, it surely isn’t being shared with us!”
Because of the market, Sunday is the busiest day for the park, generating lots of revenue from the $5.00 per car admission fee. Not only that, but the vendors’ prices should add up to about $50,000 annually for the Friends of Koreshan.
It appears that the decision was made with little regard for the vendors whose livelihood depends on the money they earn by servicing their customers every Sunday. It’s not a big market, but the vendors have made friends with many customers who enjoy their regular visits to the market on Sundays.
Many customers enjoy going to the park for breakfast regularly on Sundays. It’s a peaceful and quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of many other busy areas. Everyone connected with the market has been saddened by the news that the market will end soon!
The market runs from 8 am until 1 pm the rest of the Sundays in July. Peak hours are between about 10:30 and noon. If you would like to contact Zach Lozano, please 239-992-0311 to speak with him or to leave a message.
