JOYCE – A farmer’s market shut down nearly two years ago by Clallam County officials, may have new life.
Grant funding and new help working with regulators may allow the Joyce Farmers’ Market to get back open as early as this summer.
County Commissioner Bill Peach says a productive meeting last week could lead to getting some help for the market.
“I uncovered a funding source but we’ve got to apply for it. I’m planning to go and visit with that bank and try to get the grant process in progress. I really do hope that we’re able to open up. Well, now we’ve got hopefully the money to get there.”
Peach says he’s hopeful everything could fall in place to get the market back open soon. The market will have to go through the Hearings Examiner to get proper use permits.
Peach calls the market a unique part of the Joyce community and something needed now more than ever.
“You know, there’s an average income in and around that area of around $27,000 a year. So being able to access good food is important, good food at a lower cost than driving all the way to the big city.”
In 2019, officials ordered the operators of the popular market cease operations and apply for a proper zoning permit. The small, outdoor market operated on private property. In addition to a conditional use permit costing upwards of $3,000, the property would also require professionally designed ingress and egress off Highway 112. That would require extensive engineering fees.