Community Petition

Let's Give Our Farmers Market Room to Grow

The Falls Church Farmers Market is already one of the best things about living here. Let's make it even better.

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signatures

100

200

300

Goal: 300 signatures

Our petition to the City of Falls Church

Every Saturday morning, the Falls Church Farmers Market transforms the City Hall parking lot into the heart of our community. It's where neighbors catch up over coffee, kids taste their first fresh strawberry of the season, and local farmers connect directly with the people they feed.

The market is Virginia Gold Certified — recognition that places it among the best in the state.

We want to build on that success. We're asking the City of Falls Church to pilot a Saturday morning street closure on a portion of Park Avenue or Little Falls Street so the market can grow into something even more special—with room for more prepared food vendors, picnic tables and community gathering space, kids' activities, and additional music throughout the morning.

This isn't about changing what works. Current vendors keep their spots. The expansion would use street space alongside the existing market for new activities and for the many small businesses and vendors on the waitlist who can't get in today because there's simply no room. More variety for shoppers, more opportunity for local entrepreneurs, and a better Saturday morning for everyone.

Nearby communities already do this. Alexandria closes N. Royal Street for its Old Town Farmers Market. Mosaic District closes District Avenue in Merrifield. Westover in Arlington closes McKinley Road. If our neighbors can do it, so can we.

City staff have indicated that a trial street closure requires modest additional public safety and public works support. This petition shows the city that the community wants this and that the investment is worth it. We plan to present these signatures to the city this spring.

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Complement, Not Compete

Current vendors keep their spots. New street space is for additional activities and categories that add to the experience.

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Clear the Waitlist

Small businesses and vendors are waiting for a spot. More space means more local entrepreneurs get their chance.

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Gathering Space

A Saturday morning where you sit down with a coffee, the kids find a game to play, and you run into half the people you know before noon.

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Prepared Food & Local Makers

Room for food trucks, ready-to-eat vendors, and the artisans who can't fit in the parking lot today.

Questions & Answers

Would existing vendors lose their spots?

No. The existing market footprint stays exactly as it is. Street space would be used for new activities and vendor categories only.

What about the vendor waitlist?

There are small businesses and prepared food vendors who want to participate but can't fit in the current lot. More space means more of them get their shot.

What about nearby businesses?

Any street closure would need to maintain access for neighboring businesses. More foot traffic on Saturday mornings should help them, not hurt them.

Do other nearby cities do this?

Yes. Alexandria closes a block of N. Royal Street for its Old Town Farmers Market. The Mosaic District market closes District Avenue in Merrifield every Sunday. The Westover Farmers Market in Arlington closes McKinley Road every Sunday. DC's Dupont Circle market expanded onto Massachusetts Avenue to add vendors and reduce crowding. Capitol Hill's Eastern Market closes two blocks of 7th Street every weekend. The Bloomingdale Farmers Market closes a block of R Street NW every Sunday.

How much would this cost?

A trial requires additional public safety and public works staffing—a modest expense relative to the city's overall budget. We're asking for at least one trial run.

Who is behind this petition?

This is a community effort organized by Falls Church Forward, a volunteer civic organization. We presented the concept to the Recreation & Parks Advisory Board and the Economic Development Authority earlier this year but it needs even more support before it can come to life.