Bull City Urban Market plans opening for December


By Chris James
NCCU Staff Writer
the Durham VOICE
thedurhamvoice@gmail.com

 

Almost one year after the VOICE brought you a story about the Bull City Urban Market, the renovations are complete and the indoor market plans to open on Dec. 15.

This empty site hopes to be full of hustle and bustle of farmers and shoppers when it opens at 800 Taylor St. on Dec. 15. (Photo by Chris James)

The outdoor market has been open on Saturdays for over a year, and the market still has openings for vendors in the new market.

Local farmers and urban gardeners can rent a stall for $250/month or $25/day.

They also have spaces for retailers who want to stock jams, jellies, teas, coffees, or other dry goods. The retail spaces are $5/day for year-round spaces or $10/day for seasonal goods.

Anyone interested in selling at the market should contact Wanona Satcher at Wanona.Satcher@durhamnc.gov or 919-560-1647 extension 34227

“The purpose of the Bull City Urban Market is to eliminate the food desert,” says Herbert Johnson, president of the Bull City Urban Market.   A food desert is a district in an urban setting with little or no access to large grocery stores that offer fresh and affordable foods needed to maintain a healthy diet.

“It is an opportunity to provide fresh produce to the population of northeast central Durham,” said Johnson.

The market sells fresh, affordable produce, fresh meats and seafood, dairy, everyday items and art as well.

Other benefits of the Bull City Urban Market are they have tied in with local farmers to distribute food to the needy.

Although the market was Wanona Satcher’s idea, she quickly brought Herbert Johnson of Feed My Sheep on board.

Feed My Sheep is a 501c3 non-profit organization focused on improving the lifestyle of the needy in NECD and beyond.  Johnson, program director of this organization is especially proud of the garden project they started at Eastway Elementary School.

“This is a good way to help teach people, especially children, how to grow plants,” said Johnson.

Feed My Sheep also has a backpack program that is for the kids that promotes good healthy foods that they have grown and they get to take home when ready.

As Johnson walks around the market, he points out that in the spring of 2013 they plan to open up a restaurant called Backyard Barbeque.  “They will prepare the food offsite and bring it on site,” said Johnson.

The market is decorated with flags from all different countries of the world.  “It is a teaching tool for children because some kids might not ever get this type of exposure,” said Johnson.

Johnson is full of ideas for the market as it grows. “First I want to expand and also I want to put a greenhouse on top of the building where we can grow our own produce,” said Johnson.

The Market is located at the back of the Golden Belt Complex 800 Taylor Street, and will be open Monday thru Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. depending on consumer demand.

Interested vendors or sponsors can also contact Feed My Sheep at feedmysheep@care2.com or 919.399.5159.