CID Proposed by Sappington Farmers' Market in Limbo

Plans for the establishment of a community improvement district (CID) for are up in the air.

Last October, the market’s owners approached the  regarding the CID to provide financing to remodel and expand the market.

Village Attorney Paul Rost said there has been no further action taken by the market or the village regarding the matter.

“We haven’t heard anything from them,” he said. “We’re just trying to give them their time to get everything together."

Jeff Randol, the market’s business manager, was not able to be reached for comment.

The market, which is 22,000 square feet, is located at 8400 Watson Rd. in the General Grant Shopping Center and was established in 1994. Farm to Family Naturally, a six-member cooperative of farmers, purchased the business in 2008. It sells locally grown produce, meats and other grocery items.

The market's owners had proposed a 1-percent sales tax limited to the market's parcel of land, which would raise an estimated $800,000 over a 20-year period. The money could be used for the expansion of the store, warehouse and distribution facilities; upgraded fixtures, paint, flooring, signage and parking lot lights; and a roof replacement.

In an Oct. 29 letter to the board, Randol said the market is facing tough competition from other local grocery stores, and the economy had reduced both the number of shoppers and the average dollars being spent.

Rost noted that in order for the plan to move forward, blighting studies, redevelopment plans and actual costs would need to be obtained and the village would have to set up a CID commission.