Dunwoody’s Green Market doesn’t fit squarely into one category.
Part business, part community gathering space, the market has had a difficult time figuring out where to land after learning that it could no longer use the Dunwoody Village Post Office parking lot.
Dunwoody Community Development Director Steve Dush said public farmers markets are an example of a recent trend that is not addressed in the Dunwoody’s current zoning code, which it adopted from DeKalb County. The zoning code was written in the 1970s, before community markets became popular.
“These are exactly some of the things we’re looking at as we update our code,” Dush said.
Representatives of the Dunwoody Green Market went to the Dunwoody Homeowners Association’s monthly board meeting May 6 to talk about their search for a new home.
Paula Gilbeau, one of the market’s vendors and organizers, said the Dunwoody Green Market has built up a good customer base at Dunwoody Village and does not want to move far.
City Manager Warren Hutmacher said the city is helping the green market search for a new location. “The Green Market is something the city feels strongly about and would like to see it remain,” Hutmacher said.
Gilbeau said she thinks Dunwoody Park on Roberts Drive would be a good option for the market.
“We think it would be great with all the activities that go on at the nature center,” Gilbeau said.
DHA board member Bob Lundsten said the city needs to be careful about its involvement with the market.
“This is a for-profit entity,” Lundsten said. “This is a wonderful place. But I’m not sure it’s the role of the city to be looking for a viable location for commercial activity.”
Hutmacher said the city would prefer to find the market space in Dunwoody Village, but city parks are an option.
“We’re not asking for any special treatment,” Gilbeau said.