THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 24, 1996 TAG: 9608260323
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 30 lines
The Farmer's Market, a haven for local farmers as well as shoppers seeking fresh produce, has been a landmark in Virginia Beach for two decades, but its origins in Hampton Roads began more than 70 years ago.
From 1923 to 1954, a farmer's market known as the City Market was housed in a block-long building at Monticello and City Hall avenues in downtown Norfolk.
Virginia Beach took over that operation in June 1964 and moved the market to a 3-acre site on Diamond Springs Road near Northampton Boulevard.
In 1971, Raymond E. Hutton Jr. became superintendent, and helped with the market's move five years later.
In April 1976, after construction delays and some wariness among merchants, the market moved to an 11-acre tract on Landstown Road. Officials decided to move there because the Diamond Springs Road property was not designed for expansion, while the new location was considered to be in a growth zone for Virginia Beach.
With the new $544,000 market came a new name. The City of Virginia Beach Produce Market became the Farmer's Market.
Hutton retired in July 1984 and was succeeded by Charles R. Stancil.
Since then, the market has survived expansion efforts along Princess Anne Road to become a thriving, popular spot in Virginia Beach.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH FARMER'S MARKET FIRE by CNB