In past years, the Saturday Farmers Market was held at Cash Wise parking lot, but this season it was moved to German Street, next to German Park. The Shop the Lot event has been a monthly event in the City Hall Parking lot for the last few years.

This was the first time the Farmers’ Market and the Shop the Lot event happened in downtown at the same time. The result were a net positive for both events.

The Saturday Farmers Market has seen high customer turnout. Most of the customers arrive at the start of the market at 9 a.m. Vendors have been pleased with the turnout for the last few weeks.

Diana Schaefer brought her syrup to the Farmers Market for the first time this year. Typically she only takes part a few markets a year, but said she did better this year than ever before. Her maple syrup granola sold out within the first hour.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The monthly Shop the Lot craft and vendor fair saw an increase in vendors Saturday. The event coincided with the Farmers Market on German Street and Bavarian Blast at the fairgrounds.

Vendors continue to praise the German Street location. There were concerns customers would not find the market if it was near a major street, but it has worked.

Ella Schlei, a jam and preservative vendor said she preferred it other market location.

Regular vendor Platz Produce continued to do well at the new location. Saturday saw high tomato and pea sales.

It was noted by vendors that many of the customers were new this week. It is speculated with Bavarian Blast, out-of-town guests were also exploring downtown.

The Shop the Lot likely benefit for the extra activity in town. Co-organizers James Haviland said because of the craft fair’s location it is common for people driving down Broadway to stop in without knowing about the event in advance. It is likely people traveling to Bavarian Blast dropped into the craft show. The vendors must have had similar thoughts, because Shop the Lot had a higher number booths on Saturday than usual.

Vendors included Sully’s Crystals & Gifts out of Lake Crystal, Signature Ink 3D from Mankato and a custom tumbler vendor from Truman.

This is the first time the Farmers Market and Shop the Lot have run within downtown area, but it won’t be the last. The Farmers Market will return each Saturday the season and Shop the Lot will be back Saturday, Aug. 20.

“I think this is great,” Haviland said. “I love having the Farmers Market here. Bavarian Blast is great, but I am interested in downtown and this is bringing people here.”