Location change took place in November 2023
During their regular meeting on March 11, the Sarasota County commissioners approved the latest request for a temporary use permit (TUP) for continuation of the Siesta Farmers Market, which relocated to a new spot in Siesta Village in November 2023.
Each TUP is valid for one year, as a staff memo in the board’s March 11 agenda packet pointed out.
A letter also included in the packet, from Susan Balas, owner of the property where Beach Bazaar stands, explained that she had granted permission to Bryan Eible, who created the market, to use the parking lot in front of the store for the vendors.
Beach Bazaar stands at 5211 Ocean Blvd., near the four-way stop and the gazebo. The hours of operation of the market are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Balas added in her letter.
Previously, the market was conducted each Sunday in Davidson Plaza in the Village. However, that site has undergone changes over the past couple of years, including the closing of Davidson Drugs in 2023.
The March 11 staff memo further noted that the market was launched in 2009. The County Commission seated in June 2008 approved the first TUP for the weekly event, the memo noted.
“The conditions for approval [of the TUP] contained in the [new] Resolution are being carried forward from the original Resolution for the Siesta Key Farmers Market,” the staff memo explained. “There have been no complaints against the Farmers Market since its inception, and the community has continued to generally support the Farmers Market,” the memo said.
Further, the agenda packet included the current list of vendors for the market. They are as follows:
- Kim Johnson — Vinsoy Candles.
- Camila Rosenstock — Painted Earrings.
- Jeanne Heere — Touch of Paradise.
- Mike Crider — The Fouta Spa.
- Rita Van Gordner — Batik Bliss.
- Lisa and Gary Seaboyer — Great Finds 4U.
- Jeanette Miller — Pesky Bug Away.
- Liz Guevin — Fuse Glass Art.
- Jenifer Brown — Apotheca Brown Soaps.
- Lauren Lloyd — Sisters Botanicals CBD.
- Joan Kaiser — Joan Kaiser Art.
- Tillman Thomas — Grumpy’s Produce.
- Juels Thuel — Bread Bandits.
- Bob Stahlschmidt — Classic Makings.
- Chucos Tex-Mex.
- 85 Drips Coffee.
- Siesta Key Rum.
Commissioner Mark Smith, who is a long-time Siesta business owner and resident, made the motion to approve the TUP, and Commissioner Teresa Mast seconded it. The motion passed unanimously with no discussion. It was listed on the agenda as a Presentation Upon Request, a designation that county staff uses for items that have not been found to be controversial.