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Community Corner

PHOTOS: Sunset Strip Market's Opening Night Is Grand

The debut night of the new weekly farmers' market that also includes live entertainment, food and drinks exceeds expectations. All concerned call it a success.

The new Sunset Strip Market’s debut on Thursday night was a success by all accounts. Well over 1,000 people dropped by the farmers’ market that also has live entertainment, food and drinks.

Located in the old Tower Records overflow parking lot just east of Horn Avenue, the market drew raves from organizers, shoppers and vendors.

“I’m quite proud of it,” said Bruce Silberman, a board member of the Sunset Strip Business Improvement District, which spearheaded the Market. “We wanted to do something that brought community in to a market place, bringing more nightlife in to the Sunset Strip.”

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Roxy Theatre owner Nick Adler agreed.

“This is something I thought I’d probably never see on the Sunset Strip,” said Adler. “Shopping bags, flowers, fruit, neighbors, everything that I wanted the Sunset Strip to be when we started working on it six years ago.”

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The idea behind the market is to give people a place to shop after work during the week. Since it’s on the Strip, the market also hopes to entice shoppers to go to some of the other nearby businesses at the same time.

“I love farmers markets, but it’s so difficult to be able to go to one during the week because I’m at work,” said Silberman. “This solves that because you can drop by on the way home from work and pick up things. And you’re right here on the Strip, so why not go to some of the clubs, restaurants and boutiques as long as you’re here?”

The market offers $5 parking at nearby lots, with validation from the market. But many people just walked there.

Elyse Eisenberg who lives on Horn Avenue reported that she’d run into nearly everyone from her building at the market. She said she would definitely come back.

“This is fantastic,” said Jerome Cleary, who has lived on Horn Avenue for 26 years. “I probably will come here every week.”

Vendors reported good business.

“The response from all the people here has been great,” said John Hurley of Silver Harvest Farms, an organic farm selling fresh peaches, apricots, tomatoes and more. “There’s a very good crowd here. For the opening day, this is wonderful. I think this market is going to do very well in the future.”

In addition to produce vendors, the market also features artisan vendors selling various specialty items such as breads, jams and soups.

Franny Bishop, owner and chief baker at the Santa Monica-based Franny Bakes which had cakes, cookies, candy and cheesecakes for sale, was offering samples to people passing by. Trying the samples convinced many people to buy their sweet treats.

“We did really well,” said Bishop. “We had a really good reception and look forward to being back next week.”

In addition to edible items, the market also featured several vendors not typically associated with farmers’ markets including a knife sharpening business and a recycling business that was offering free bags of compost.

The Sunset Strip Market will be open every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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