Bayville farmers' market saved from closure

A New Hyde Park company will assume responsibility of Bayville's farmers' market, saving the popular weekend event after village officials declined to continue running it.

G&G's Long Island Farmers Market, which previously focused on indoor winter markets, has entered an agreement to pay the village $125 a week and handle setup, cleanup and oversight. Its first market in the Bayville Commons -- the center of the village business district -- is June 4. The outdoor market will continue at the Commons every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 15.

Bayville had hosted the traditional gathering of fresh produce and specialty food vendors for six years, but village leaders had tired of the workload. Last month, Mayor Doug Watson said his volunteer staff was becoming overwhelmed despite the community benefit.

"It was very nice, but it was getting harder and harder to get people to commit to it," Watson said Wednesday.

After local groups, including a church and the chamber of commerce, declined to take over, Watson prepared for the market's end. But G&G heard about the problem and was already beginning to stretch from the indoor events it held last year in Huntington, Northport and Garden City.

Lona Graepel, who runs the company with her sister, Jaime Greci, said her approach would be slightly different from the village's. This farmers' market will contain some of the same vendors but also offer a craft table for children, and occasional live music.

"We try to make it a relaxing place to hang out with the whole family," Graepel said. "It's more of an outing for everyone in the community."