The Redmond Saturday Market seeks sponsors

Jim Hoagland, President of the Saturday Market spoke* up for the Market at this week's City Council meeting.

The "Saturday Market" has been in operation for 25 years and is the oldest open market on the Eastside. But, according to Jim, the Market is struggling with rising expenses while having to compete for vendors and customers of other markets. The surrounding open markets in Kirkland, Sammamish, Mercer Island and Bellevue have the upper hand with much lower expenses. Mercer Island, Sammamish and Bellevue markets don't have to pay rent. The Kirkland open market has paid staff and WI-FI to expedite sales transactions.

According to Jim's talk: Redmond's nonprofit Saturday Market has to pay $23,000 rent to REDMOND TOWN CENTER (RTC). Plus, they have to pay for garbage, electricity, and sani-cans! Sammamish and Bellevue open markets don't have to pay any rent. When the Market asked RTC for help, RTC gave them six poster kiosks; That's it.

For the first time ever, the Market will be seeking sponsors from businesses and neighborhood associations in the range of $500 - $2000. Though the Market came to City Budget table late, they hope the City of Redmond would be a sponsor. The City of Sammamish gives their open market a $5000 sponsorship. The money the Market will raise from sponsorships is all planned to go toward advertisement and entertainment.

Our Saturday Market has already taken a physical beating from the all the road construction around it. I hope the community, neighborhood associations and city can help them financially. To become a Sponsor click on this form. Visit their Saturday Market website.

OPENING DAY for the Saturday Market is May 2, 9-3pm. The Redmond High School orchestra will be performing!

*At the beginning of every council meeting citizens have opportunity to talk to City Council for up to four minutes. It's called "Items from the Audience".