The long-awaited opening of the Foley Family Community Pavilion went off without a hitch, more or less, during last weekend’s three scheduled events.
Janet Ciel, the manager of the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market, had a practical measure for how she deemed the success. “That vendors were able to get their vehicles in and get set up,” she said. “So it feels successful to me.”
Her colleague at the market’s information booth at the March 21 pop-up, Christine Webster, was more enthusiastic. “It’s great; it’s wonderful,” she said. “The new establishment is going to be even better than we expected.”
The vendors themselves seemed pretty darn happy with the experience, too. “I love this market; I love the community; I love everyone coming,” said olive-oil maker Russ Messing, who found himself on the cover of The Tribune last week. “It’s always smile time!” By coincidence, his booth was set up in almost the same spot the Noble Goat Farms truck had occupied in that newspaper photo.
The market could loosely be described as consisting of five spaces, with vendor spaces assigned by market manager Ciel. “This is kind of how Saturday will be. The produce vendors will be in those spots, for the most part, and many other vendors will have the same spots through the season,” she said. Between 55 and 60 vendors will participate once the regular Saturday market begins on April 11. Fifty-seven vendors attended on March 21.
The main hall is surmounted by the soaring translucent roof, which is supported by a historic girder system reminiscent of the Cerri warehouse that stood here for years.
Outside at a booth on North Street Shalie Jonker, the owner of Noble Goat Farms, scampered to meet demand from the first-day shoppers. Several of the market’s signature produce vendors—Preston Farms, Front Porch Farm and Little Saint—were also located on North Street, for easy access to their trucks. But Jonker’s signature Noble Goat Farms truck was nowhere to be seen. “It’s getting remodeled so it opens on the side instead of off the back,” she said. “It will fit nicely here.”
Jonker is also the president of the board of directors for the Healdsburg Certified Farmer’s Market, and as such had a well-rounded perspective on the day. “We’ve had such a great morning,” she said. “What makes it great? The support of the community coming out; it’s been completely busy all morning. It makes us all the more excited for the new season and coming back in April with even more of a bounty of produce.”
The Saturday market begins April 11, and will run weekly until Dec. 19, 2026.
Back beneath the roof, Joe Wolf, co-owner of Marla Bakery with Amy Brown, sold pastries and loaves from his stand. “This is a lovely change. Inclement weather will not be an issue anymore,” he said. Marla, named after the first letter of the women’s names who helped them learn to cook, has been a market vendor for several years, since opening in Santa Rosa in 2021. They also deliver twice weekly to Shelton’s Natural Foods Market in Healdsburg.
Out in the parking lot area, many prepared-food vendors were set up. They included Kriztian and Alena Karkus, the European couple who also run the Tisza Bistro restaurant in the former Single Tree space at 428 Healdsburg Ave. Using the same portable kitchen they’ve set up for several years at the Saturday farmers’ market, they seemed happy to be back.
“It was a crazy day for me, but quite successful for all,” Ciel said. “We had an excellent day for merch sales, so that was a nice bonus. The city seems very pleased, and customers all were smiling and happy. I was waiting for complaints, but other than we need more trash cans and bike parking, those were the only negative comments I heard.”
Mark Themig, director of the Community Services Department that oversaw the remodel and reopening of the Pavilion, said he too had heard about the need for more bike parking. “We waited to order bike racks until we have a better feel for how many bikes we should plan on accommodating and where the bike racks could be installed,” he said.
“It was also a great way to welcome a broad segment of our community into their new event center,” he continued. “Partners like the farmers’ market and Vamos North Bay are going to be really important in helping us to activate the space.”
The Healdsburg Farmers’ Market was only the first of the day’s events, with Vamos al Tianguis following from 4-9pm with Aztec dancers and Oaxacan foods. Combined with the following day’s Housing and Resources Fair, the Pavilion is providing a venue for the full expression of our community.
