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# What's next for the Redlands Downtown Morning Market? City narrows options
- URL: https://www.communityforwardredlands.com/redlands-considers-new-locations-for-downtown-farmers-market/
- Published: 2026-10-22T02:23:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T02:23:11.000Z
- Description: Council members want to keep Downtown's Morning Market in downtown while seeking a third-party operator to address declining attendance, vendor participation and parking concerns.
- Author: Stephanie Hastings Miranda
- Tags: Government

**REDLANDS, Calif. —** The Redlands City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 20, to keep the Downtown Morning Market within the downtown area as the city prepares to seek a third-party operator to manage the weekly farmers market.

**Why it matters:** The Downtown Morning Market has faced declining customer attendance and vendor participation since the city shortened its operating hours earlier this year. Tuesday's vote keeps the market's future focused on downtown, but leaves its final location and management to be determined through a competitive proposal process.

The decision narrows the market's potential locations to three: its current home in the parking lot behind Ed Hales Park, State Street between Sixth and Eighth streets, and Smiley Park near the A.K. Smiley Public Library.

The council eliminated two other locations proposed by city staff — Sylvan Park and Citrus Avenue — following a discussion about the market's future, declining attendance and the competing needs of farmers and downtown businesses.

### Market attendance declines after hours change

The Downtown Morning Market returned to downtown Redlands in March 2026 following a brief hiatus, drawing an average of 30 vendors and 340 customers each week, according to a city staff report.

In May, the council directed staff to [shorten the market's hours to 7 to 11 a.m.](https://www.communityforwardredlands.com/changes-coming-to-redlands-downtown-morning-market/), beginning in June, in an effort to reduce conflicts with downtown businesses over parking and peak shopping hours.

Since that change, average weekly attendance has declined by approximately 50 customers, and 13 vendors have withdrawn from participation, according to the report.

During Tuesday's meeting, farmers and market supporters urged the council to preserve the market's downtown presence, emphasizing the importance of providing residents with access to locally grown produce and supporting small agricultural businesses.

Council members acknowledged those concerns while also recognizing complaints from downtown businesses about parking availability and the use of public spaces during business hours.

"The challenge has been trying to find a compromise or a balance between our farmers and our brick-and-mortar businesses downtown with parking and space and time," said Mayor Mario Saucedo. 

### Council favors downtown locations

Council members agreed that Sylvan Park was too far from downtown and that closing Citrus Avenue would create too much disruption. The discussion also raised concerns about parking availability, street closures and potential impacts to Smiley Park.

The council voted 5-0 to narrow the options to three downtown locations, agreeing that a third-party operator should have flexibility to evaluate the sites before a final decision is made.

### City seeks experienced market operator

The city plans to issue a request for proposals seeking a qualified third-party operator to manage the market, including recruiting vendors, handling required certifications, marketing the event and overseeing day-to-day operations.

The move toward third-party management follows concerns raised in May about the cost of operating the market. At the time, city officials estimated annual operating expenses at approximately $93,000, including about $70,000 in city subsidies. The council directed staff to explore outside management as a way to reduce staffing costs and potentially generate revenue through use of city property.

Applicants are being asked to outline their preferred location, operating strategy, revenue sources and any city funding or services they would need.

City staff would evaluate the proposals based on experience, financial sustainability and the potential to maintain and grow the market.

City staff said the request for proposals is nearly ready for release. Once proposals are evaluated, staff will return to the City Council with a recommendation for a new operator.