By Tom Durkin

Colfax Record Correspondent

“I am concerned about the viability of the market,” Carol Arnold told the Colfax City Council Tuesday night.

The executive director of the Foothills Farmers Market Association said “much has been lost and very little gained” by moving the Colfax Farmers Market from Main Street to its current location in the parking lot behind the Freight Depot.

“It has not been successful at all,” Arnold reported, explaining sales are down and vendors are dropping out.

Arnold asked the council to consider moving the market back to its former location on Main Street in front of the now-closed Colfax Theater.

The four council members (Councilman Josh Alpine was absent) were less than enthusiastic about the idea, because it would require closing Main Street every Wednesday afternoon.

Council members Donna Barkle and Ken Delfino cited traffic and public safety concerns.

Mayor Suzanne Roberts indicated that she’d be willing to consider relocating the market next year.

Clearly concerned, Arnold cautioned the market could die off from lack of business this year.

“We’re still committed,” she said, but “they’re [markets] very difficult to bring back to life.”

Local businesswoman Elan Vitkoff, who plans to open a café on Main Street Aug. 1, announced she would attempt to organize Main Street merchants to find ways to promote the market.

The farmers market is open every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 7.