Sappington Farmer's Market Proposes Community Improvement District

The owners of have asked the to consider the establishment of a community improvement district (CID) to provide financing to remodel and expand the market.

The market, which is 22,000 square feet, is located at 8400 Watson Road 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.

In a recent board meeting, Village Attorney Paul Rost said he had contacted the market's attorney to find out if the shopping center's landlord had asked the other business owners in the center if they would be interested in participating in the CID.

"The market's attorney knows about as much as we do," said Rost, adding that he would try to call the landlord.  "If we are going to explore this, we want to make sure everyone involved is contacted."

In a recent letter to the board, Jeffrey Randol, one of the market's owners, said that while the market has benefited from years of recognition, it is facing tough competition from other local grocery stores. He added that the economy has reduced both the number of shoppers at the market and the average dollars being spent. He also noted that sales over the last three years have been stable, averaging $7.7 million, but that sales for 2010 are down 10 percent.

"In order to combat this trend, the market must remodel and expand in order to provide customers the shopping experience that they demand and to curb erosion of its market share," Randol said in the letter.

The market's owners are proposing 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 may be used to: expand the market by 4,000 square feet; reformat the store; upgrade fixtures, paint, flooring and signage; install food preparation facilities; expand warehouse and distribution facilities; replace the roof; and upgrade parking lot lights.

Rost noted that the proposal is still in its initial stages. He said blighting studies, redevelopment plans and actual costs would need to be obtained and that the village would have to set up a community improvement development commission in order for the plan to move forward.

In an earlier interview, Rost said: "It's exciting to see people who want to make an investment in the community, especially in light of the recent economy."

Randol could not be reached for comment.