Curmudgeon's Corner

Village Buzz - July 20th

Posted by Al Campbell on July 20, 2008

Germantown, Quality of Life, Village Buzz

Have you tried out the Germantown Farmer's Market in its new location at The Livery in Rockfield?  I stopped there yesterday at about 10:30AM to see what the new venue was like.  The first thing that impressed me were the mosquitoes...wow, were they ever out in force.  They would've been out in force at the former location, too, in all likelihood.

There was music, some recorded and some live, being broadcast through the PA system, a few people were strolling through the vendors' booths and there was a nice spirit about the place.  I counted some seven or eight outdoor vendors that featured currently available vegetables, jewelry and various foodstuffs on display and available for sampling.  The Livery itself was a nice place to visit with interesting items that aren't often seen in Germantown and pleasant people in attendance.

I noted that some of the former vendors weren't to be seen.  Maybe that was simply due to items not yet being ripe enough for sale, or it might have been that they were either too old to do this 'thing' anymore or simply didn't want to be in the new site; I don't know the answers.  New vendors had taken their places.

The new location, from my perspective, is just far enough out from the village proper to make the visit one of intent rather than impulse.  Not that it isn't worth the trip, but it will take some time for this site to become the one that comes to mind when you think Farmer's Market.

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I am actually excited over the new parking lot layout that is now apparent at Sendik's.  The old approach that required a left or right-hand turn once you'd entered from Mequon Road is gone.  It looks as though you'll be able to drive straight ahead and access parking areas without quite the rigmarole that used to be required.  The lot is divided with curbed islands that appear to be prepared to hold plantings.  The surface has been repaired where necessary and the whole place is taking shape.

You can probably detect that I'm anxious for this new shopping opportunity to become reality.  I suspect that this will cause some improvements in the local Pick 'n Save so far as selection and service.  I would be surprised if Sendik's wasn't a bit higher priced, but maybe we'll learn differently.  Competition is good for consumers...and for merchants, too, although they are not always convinced of that.  Better that we're kept on our toes rather than resting on our laurels.

I do dread learning the layout of new stores so far as product location, but, with luck, maybe Sendik's will use a bit more sense than seems to have been decreed by the Roundy's store layout team.