Farmers market in Heights area could be upgraded

Silvia Salinas sorts produce Monday at the farmers market in the 2500 block of Airline in the northern Heights.﻿ Silvia Salinas sorts produce Monday at the farmers market in the 2500 block of Airline in the northern Heights.﻿ Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Farmers market in Heights area could be upgraded 1 / 42 Back to Gallery

The farmers market on Airline isn't the kind of place where you'll find duck eggs, artisan cheeses or an array of exotic mushrooms for aspiring home chefs.

The decades-old collection of vendors spread over some 18 acres in the northern Heights area has been a mainstay for more traditional produce, along with such Mexican staples as hibiscus flowers, nopales and hot sauces.

But a deal in the works to sell the operation could set in motion plans to expand the market, not only upgrading the existing facilities and parking but also adding more food services and attractions to engage the community, the prospective buyers said.

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The local group that has an agreement to acquire the Farmers Marketing Association of Houston says the market will remain like it is for now. Down the road, "we'll have some exciting announcements," said Todd Mason of MLB Capital Partners.

Culinary events

Mason sees the property becoming a local tourist attraction where families from around the area would visit and spend a few hours there. He envisions there being culinary events and live music on weekends.

The sale has not yet closed and details are limited, but initial plans call for cleaning up the well-worn property, improving the bathrooms and the parking area. From a tenant perspective, little is expected to change within the first year, Mason said. New buildings could come later.

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The buyers have considered adding meat shops, a bakery and perhaps a brewery.

Given the popularity of the Heights, signs of change - and gentrification - in the areas around it have become common.

Developers are putting up blocky townhomes alongside an old cemetery next to the farmers market property, which was appraised at $8.6 million this year by Harris County - up 21 percent from 2013.

Other neighbors speak to the area's more working-class population.

Airline is dotted with spice and herb stores, piñata boutiques and Mexican seafood restaurants like Connie's and Tampico.

Private corporation

The Farmers Marketing Association, a private corporation whose shareholders are the original farmers or their descendants, owns and operates the acreage.

The market was a co-op when it started in 1942, but the group incorporated in the late 1980s, longtime manager Kevin Kleb said.

"Through the years there have been a few young farmers come aboard, but that's pretty much stopped," Kleb said. "There's little agricultural land left in Harris County."

Canino Produce Co. is one of many produce operations on the property. There's also a key shop and a defunct restaurant called Triple A.

Lawrence Pilkinton, whose family has owned Canino's for 59 years, expanding it from a one-counter operation selling just a few crates of fruits and vegetables, said grocery stores have diluted the business.

Farmer families

The number of local farmers has shrunk to a fraction of what it was in the market's heyday.

"There are about 15 farmer families left in Houston. At one time there was probably 100," Pilkinton said. "Over the years they sell their land because it's so valuable."