After saying goodbye to the local farmers market that was held at the Country Village for 14 years, the people of Bothell worked hard to save a piece of community.
On July 12, community members along with councilmembers, Sen. Derek Stanford of the 1st Legislative District, chef John Howie and others gathered with excitement for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Bothell Friday Market.
“It’s very exciting,” Bothell councilmember Rosemary McAuliffe said. “It’s kind of a vision and a dream. Once Country Village was closing down, what we really wanted was to start another market…We knew how many thousands of people loved that market.”
Artist-in-residence Gavin Wissler said she worked hard to save Country Village. After getting around 2,950 signatures and reaching out to nonprofits Wissler said she was only able to save the market piece of the village.
“Just to save the market was like saving a piece of the Country Village. That’s what I’m proud about,” she said. “It’s small but it will grow.”
Bothell’s new market will have rotating vendors each week, according to Wissler. Community members can expect to see new and different artisans each week. The market currently meets at the Villas at Beardslee and organizers hope to expand into the parking lot to host more vendors. Wissler said the restaurant owners and the Villa’s leasing company have all been cooperative.
Howie, owner and chef for Beardslee Public House, said they are pleased to be part of the revival of the Bothell farmers market. He said it’s something they have been talking about and trying to get going at the Villas for a couple of years.
“With the help of the chamber we were able to get this going and we hope that it continues to grow and one day we hope to be using the parking lot for tents,” Howie said. “I think it’s important to really support the local farmers and the people that are doing stuff in your community. It’s a part of what makes such a strong and good community like Bothell — to have a market like this that you can count on and come every week.”
The new Friday market will run from 3-7 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 27 at the Villas at Beardslee, 19128 112th Ave. NE.
To learn more, visit www.bothellfridaymarket.com.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the time the market runs. The market runs from 3-7 p.m. every Friday.
A group of young shoppers check out the berry selection at the new market. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photos
The Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Friday Market on July 12. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
Danica Cardin (left) and her daughter Sydney and Tiffany Stetson buy flowers from an original market vendor on July 12. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
Community members can expect to see new and different artisans each week. The market currently meets at the Villas at Beardslee, 19128112th Ave NE, Bothell. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
John Howie, owner and chef for Beardslee Public House signs a copy of his cook book for a customer on July 12. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
