Farmers market takes shot at Quarry before move

2000 x 1333~~$~~In this Sunday, March 30, 2014 photo, people stroll, shop and eat at the Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market in San Antonio, Texas. The farmers market in the San Antonio shopping district known as the Quarry will be closing next month amid concerns about traffic and parking issues. It draws between 2,500 and 4,000 people each Sunday to the parking lot near a supermarket. less 2000 x 1333~~$~~In this Sunday, March 30, 2014 photo, people stroll, shop and eat at the Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market in San Antonio, Texas. The farmers market in the San Antonio shopping district known ... more Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer, AP Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer, AP Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Farmers market takes shot at Quarry before move 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

The Express-News obtained a copy of an email from Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market owners to vendors headlined “We have a new home!” Owners David Lent and Heather Hunter expressed excitement about the undisclosed location and the opportunity to form a partnership with what they describe as “a much more intelligent group of people.”

In the email, signed “Heather and David,” they explain that, to avoid customer confusion, they will not publicly reveal the new location until after Sunday’s market. They do, however, promise to reveal this “secret location” to vendors early Sunday morning so they can tell their customers.

These new partners, the letter continues, “are really excited about having us.”

The market, which Lent has said will operate under a new name, will launch at its new location on Dec. 14. This coming Sunday is the market’s last day at the Alamo Quarry Market, its home for 3½ years.

The email describes the new location as having plenty of vendor space and parking.

In November the owners of the Alamo Quarry Market informed Lent and Hunter that they were being booted from the Alamo Heights shopping center due to complaints about parking and traffic problems. Between 2,500 and 4,000 customers shop the market each Sunday.

After word got out, Lent said he received “hundreds” of inquiries from businesses interested in hosting it. He said he hoped to relocate the market no more than 2 miles from its current home, although the email gives no indication of where the new location is in relation to the old.

The Quarry farmers market has served as a successful incubator for several now-established restaurants and evolved into a popular weekend gathering spot for the community.

Check back for updates as we get them.

rmarini@express-news.net

Twitter: @RichardMarini