Spokane Public Market set to open in May

The Spokane Public Market will open downtown around May 18. It will feature growers selling fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs and bread, as well as artisan wares and ready-to-eat meals.

Vendors, supporters and board members got together for the announcement Monday morning at the indoor market’s new location on the corner of West Second Avenue and South Browne Street.

“Sustainable agriculture is what this institution is all about,” said John Hancock, interim executive director of the Spokane Public Market.

“Here you’ll be able to buy your food from people who have a story to tell you about it.”

The Public Market, which will share a building with Sun People Dry Goods, will be open Wednesday through Saturday year-round.

The 21,000-square-foot building is owned and developed by Pacific Bridge.

The market has a 15-year lease agreement, with the goal of purchasing the building in 2014.

Hancock said $400,000 needs to be raised for building improvements.

Hancock explained that “local” in a Spokane Public Market context means from the state of Washington and its boundary counties.

About 40 vendors have signed up for market stands so far and 100 more are interested.

“It gives me a stable, year-round venue,” said David McCullough of Susie David’s Cattle Co.

McCullough sells beef at local farmers markets and just added 150 hens to his farm so he can sell eggs.

“We’ll continue to be at the other markets, but this is a great addition to what we already have,” he said.