The Downtown Poplar Bluff Farmers Market will close Saturday for the fall, but a $53,000 grant should help extend future seasons.
The money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow the location in the parking lot of the Black River Coliseum to be enclosed, said DPB Director Jerrica Fox. USDA money already helps run the site and provides the ability to accept EBT cards.
The new grant will allow for the addition of seven to eight large garage doors, Fox explained. These could be closed during extreme weather, and allow the market to operate with large shop fans or heaters.
"It allows us to utilize it for more than just the (current) seasons," Fox said.
Fox expects to advertise the project for bids this month and have the work complete by the time the market reopens in 2019. It typically starts in May, but could be pushed forward to April with the enclosure.
"Several of our local farmers have greenhouses and have the ability to sell sooner or later in the season," Fox said.
The market could also hold Christmas events after the work is done, possibly in conjunction with the lighted Christmas parade.
The market has operated from the Coliseum parking lot for more than five years.
It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Item availability is dependent on vendors, but last week the market carried a variety of pumpkins, gourds, local honey, homemade baked goods and vegetables.