Bayville farmers market lasts 5 weeks

A private company that revived Bayville's farmers market lasted just five weeks, saying crowds were sparse and the location too remote to retain vendors.

G&G's Long Island Farmers Market struck an agreement with the village in May to run the weekly events, after village officials said they'd become too much work to continue themselves. The company, which also holds indoor winter markets across the region, was to pay the village $125 a week, June 4 to Oct. 15, for oversight and space in Bayville Commons.

But soon after launch, vendors started "dropping off," said Lona Graepel, who runs New Hyde Park-based G&G's with her sister. The last market was July 2.

"There just wasn't enough business," she said. "And I couldn't get vendors to come because it was so out of the way."

While there were loyal customers, the five Saturday morning markets, with fresh produce and specialty foods, attracted no more than 50 customers each, Graepel estimated. The village, she added, was not willing to waive the weekly fee for her to continue.

"I was really sorry, but I can't lose money here," she said. "I feel really bad. We put a lot of time and energy into it."

Bayville Mayor Doug Watson said the markets, which debuted last year under village supervision, probably wouldn't return unless another company were willing to take them over. The events will not return to being the sole responsibility of the village.

He acknowledged he would have liked to have seen more vendor variety but understood the issues.

"We had no other choice," he said. "They didn't have the sales necessary to support the vendors. There's not much more you can say."