DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — The decision to move the Morgan County-Decatur farmers market has created tension between the vendors and farmers market board members.

The move comes as a new market is being constructed on First Avenue where the market has operated for decades.

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In April, the market moved just around the corner to a temporary spot located on Grant Street.

Two weeks ago, in yet another move, the board announced vendors will set up in the parking lot on Bank Street, a mile away from its original location.

All the changes have vendors like Marilyn Champion frustrated. Her mother built her family business in 1980.

“My mother started Champion Farms because she was peddling down these streets back in the 80s before there was a market built,” said Champion. “It breaks my heart because I have been trying to live up to her legacy. This was her passion.”

Nick Jones of Five Sons Farm says another move is not necessary.

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“My customers are the same as Champion Farm customers, the same as Sharp Farms, Flint city, they are grocery shoppers who want to shop here,” said Jones.

The vendors say that the move and the lack of advertising have hurt their business and claim that they had no say in the decision to move.

“We have a board of 5 members that were elected by our city council,” said vendor Abbie Salinas. “We do not get to vote for them, and they make the decision for the Farmers Market.”

The vendors also say the new temporary location at the 609 Social Market & Provision restaurant in downtown Decatur is only a move for the board to promote that location. Laura Ritch, President Farmers Market Board says it’s all about street traffic.

“We started looking around as a board on where we could possibly find street traffic but people who would be driving past here on First Street,” Ritch explained. “You can see that there are no cars driving up and down here because nobody is seeing this.”

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Kayte Coats, Treasurer of the farmers market board did all the advertising that they could, but the farmer’s customers don’t use social media.

Coats told News 19 that the number of vendors is down from 40 to around 15 daily in the temporary location. She would like those vendors to return to the new location.

“We want as many vendors as possible at the market wherever we are located so that we can have as many customers as possible so that we can sell as much as possible,” said Coats.

Salinas said that she has had message conversations with Coats, but she and the other vendors have been left out of the communication about the decision to move to 609 Social.

“We messaged but things began to change when she became a board member,” said Salinas. “It seems as though she is steamrolling some of the other board members and making the decisions.”

The vendors plan to voice their concerns about the move with the Decatur city leaders on Monday during the next city council meeting.

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