The Hillcrest Farmers Market’s temporary move will not stop the market from running as usual.
The market moved Sunday to University Avenue due to the reconstruction of Normal Street Promenade, which expands Pride Plaza and creates a pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare along Normal Street between University and Washington Street.
“It’s a change and people don’t like that. But the construction of the Promenade itself is a really dramatic transformation of the neighborhood,” said Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association.
The market has been operating since the 1980s and attracts thousands of customers. It will continue to host its 180 vendors at the new location until the project’s completion in early 2026.
Nicholls considers University Avenue a busy street, which increases the visibility of the market on Sunday. Despite the pouring rain over the weekend, it was full of people.
The move has received positive feedback, especially with the footprint of the new layout, since the street is wider and there is more room.
