Butler Business Association Submits Guidelines for Summer Market

 Main Street could be bustling with business from the sales of locally grown produce, bread and other products if plans go forward with a proposed Butler Marketplace summer farmers market.

The Butler Business Association presented guidelines for the proposed market, which would tentatively run once per week, most likely on a weekday, from May through October, to the Butler Borough Council during a regular meeting Tuesday.

Butler Business Association Secretary Sandi Liss and Treasurer Fred Shafer presented the guidelines to the council. Vice President Jill Mehl also attended the meeting.

In the guidelines, the association specified that the market would run from 3 to 7 p.m., with vendors being allowed to set up an hour earlier and have an hour after to clean up; vendors would be allowed to set up on the sidewalk in front of stores in which owners provide approval on Main Street; and some vendors would be allowed to work out of their trucks, parallel parking and sometimes taking up more than one spot.

Vendors would be in the same place each week. would open up its facility the day of the market for a public restroom. 

"It's a great idea, without a doubt," Councilman Robert Fox said. "It's great stimulation for downtown."

Fox said he would like to see the association and council continue discussions about how the events would be policed. He said he would also want to ensure there was enough of a walkpath for pedestrians to get by on the sidewalk even with the vendors' tables out.

Mayor Robert Alviene said he was in support of the proposed market, but that he would also like to seek the input of neighboring shop owners. 

Councilman Bob Meier backed the proposal as well. "I think it's a great idea," he said.

Borough Administrator James Lampmann said since the event would be co-sponsored between the association and the mayor and council, the borough would not have to complete an ordinance change and would simply have to approve the market. On Tuesday, the council agreed that they would like to continue discussions about the proposed market.

According to Liss, the market would offer locally grown produce, breads, meats, eggs, honey, jelly and some crafted foods.