by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Downtown Vision, Inc. has taken some its most popular vendors from the Downtown Farmers Market off the menu. Area businesses complained the food merchants were taking too big a bite out of their lunch business.
Among those not returning include Amelia Island Catering and Keshia Brinson, who sold shrimp skewers and crab cakes.
“You have to understand that we have a certain responsibility to the businesses downtown,” said Lyn Briggs, a DVI spokesperson. “If they’re being negatively affected by something we’ve put together, we have to do something about it.
“They are the ones who are really improving downtown by putting their money on the line.”
Briggs said those businesses simply can’t compete with the prices set by farmers market merchants, thanks to the relatively low overhead they are guaranteed.
“How can they?” she said. “It just isn’t fair that someone with a business downtown should have to worry about that.”
But prepared food will likely make a return to the market. Briggs said local businesses are being encouraged to set up stations at the market. Big Pete’s Pizzeria and Drayton’s at the Seminole Club could be in Hemming Plaza by next week.
“We’ve been wanting downtown businesses in the market from the beginning,” Briggs said. “I think now they understand the merits of getting more involved.”