dwindled as farms and shopping Garfield of EYA notes , the market habits have changed . The market building ’ s foundation needs major is now facing a new future , reflecting the current customers and building from its foundation . The
repairs , which require lifting the
producers . Now , as Bethesda goes proposed design places the market through a development surge , the at the center of activity in a public market is facing change and in the retail space connected to the new next few years , will be getting a park and maintaining its relationship facing Wisconsin Avenue . Two bit of a facelift as part of a larger building project . The Bernstein large sycamores will be replanted Companies bought the historic to frame the building entrance market building in 2020 and , in and the Market ’ s history will be partnership with developer EYA , highlighted with signs , photos , or will redevelop the surrounding works of art . area with a 17-story residential
The intention is to ensure the building with a retail ground floor , building ’ s continued use and viability .* As Emily Mooney of Bernstein adjacent to a three-acre park that will replace the public parking lots notes , the “ vision is to have a place behind the market . making , best in class urban park
To accommodate redevelopment , the historic market building opment .” While the building will
with interactive mixed-use devel-
will be moved 13 feet to the north be preserved , the activity it was and expanded with an addition built for seems to have passed . A to its northern façade . As Caren plan for existing and new tenants
* With construction a few years off , the market has no official closing date .
“ Another Day in Paradise ” ~ Ray Renn , 1956-2022
The Renn family started selling at the Farm Women ’ s Market in the 1940s , and Ray started selling with his parents , Frances and Brice Renn , when he was a boy . They sold produce from their Burtonsville farm — squash , tomatoes , corn , grapes , okra , flowers , eggs — from the same stand every Wednesday and Saturday . His niece , Kelly Krause recalls waking up at 2:30 in the morning to prepare . “ We ’ d load up the truck the night before with coffee cans full of cut zinnias .”
For a time , Ray ’ s grandmother served as the market ’ s president and Ray eventually became the market manager . When he passed suddenly in October 2022 , the same week the market was celebrating its 90 th anniversary , it was a shock . Charlena Edge recalls that “ Ray was an absolute joy to work with ! He had a casual , laid back style . I never once saw him stressed , angry , irritated , or in a bad mood .”
On the last Saturday in October , customers and vendors took the opportunity to share memories Ray and condolences with his family . And echoing through the conversations , you could hear the phrase Ray used to greet customers , “ another day in paradise .” is under review as the project is refined and advanced .
Just as the market supported the founding farm women , it has continued to offer opportunities for vendors like Charlena Edge of Obsidian Organics . “ I started my business because the market provided me with the opportunity to do so . I had a name , concept , even products but I wasn ’ t brave enough to take the leap . The market provided me with a safe space to fail . Luckily , I haven ’ t .”
She points out that the market is a place for farmers and artisans to have a business without hunting for affordable space in a tight real estate market . As Edge says “ It ’ s a cliché , but ‘ team work is dream work .’” In a cooperative space everyone steps in and helps with permitting , websites , marketing and all the work that goes into running a business .
The Farm Women ’ s Market has been a unique and valuable local asset , founded to support farm operations and sales . A 1940 issue of the Reader ’ s Digest reported , “ The modernizing movement has proved to be contagious . The example of the women in the cooperative … has put the county 50 years ahead in its agricultural ideas .” With a new configuration and new tenants , the market can retain its value , at the center of a new idea for suburban downtowns .
Claudia Kousoulas is a freelance writer and editor who also worked as a land use planner in Montgomery County for more than 20 years . She and Ellen Letourneau are the co-authors of Bread & Beauty and A Culinary History of Montgomery County Maryland .
38 plenty I summer growing 2023