It's great? Then, yes, mess it up!

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By Barb Ickes | Saturday, April 12, 2008 |

I had a bad feeling about this.

But I figured it would be the city that would screw up the Davenport Farmers Market.

I never dreamed the bad blood between the two sets of growers would jeopardize one of the best things the city’s got going for it. Now that the two sides have found a common enemy in the Levee Improvement Commission, they’re taking their toys and leaving.

But they’re not all walking away from the rocket-ship success of the downtown market. It appears the vendors have fractured into yet another group.

The way I understand it, the Mississippi Valley Growers Association and the River City Market haven’t been able to see eye to eye on what constitutes “locally grown” produce for years. The two groups’ dispute contributed largely to the death-trap of an entrance to the downtown market.

They wanted to be separated, so vehicles and pedestrians shared the dividing-line entrance to the parking lot between River Drive and the baseball stadium. The division created a hazard, which the Levee Commission tried to fix.

Some of the vendors didn’t like the fix and are relocating to NorthPark Mall.

I hate the idea, but that’s mostly because I live in Illinois. Truth be told, if the mall market was the only one in town, I’d make the drive. Many other people, especially those who live in north Davenport, may even prefer the new location.

Some people don’t need ambiance and character as a side dish to fresh zucchini.

I sincerely hope things work out for both markets. I would hate to see the vendors who decide to make the move get hurt by it. Many of them have been caught in the middle of a long-standing power play as it is. Deciding where to sell their edibles and wares must be hard.

It would be an easy decision for me.

Davenport Alderman Bill Boom, 3rd Ward, aptly categorized the conduct of market leaders when he said, “They couldn’t see through to work together.”

Given the apparent accuracy of that statement, I don’t know why vendors would wish to follow those “leaders” to NorthPark.

Add to the feuding the fact that the Freight House finally is showing promise for a cool contribution to the whole area, and it seems foolish to walk away. Why would you trade in a sure thing for a maybe at the mall?

I would have thought that the potential for a year-round market on the riverfront also would help many of the vendors decide. It’s probably safe to say the day that homemade pies and homegrown plants are sold off a folding table inside Sears isn’t going to dawn anytime soon.

People love the riverfront location and have proven it by showing up there in droves. And now there’s a playground, too. Here’s hoping the ones who stay know how to play nice.

Barb Ickes can be contacted at (563) 383-2316 or bickes@qctimes.com.