Pasco Farmers Market opens March 11

PASCO – An incredible aroma flows out of the walk-up window at Brother's Cheese Steaks inside Pasco Specialty Kitchen, just across the street from the newly renovated Pasco Farmers Market.

Restaurant owner Mario Quintero has been watching farmers market construction happening for the past year.

"It's exciting to watch it come together," he said from his 110 S. Fourth Ave., restaurant. "I've been here three years and we are growing our business.

"I'm hopeful that the new market will bring more customers who are curious about it."

On March 11, the city will celebrate the completion of the Farmers Market and is encouraging the public to attend. The event will include speeches from city leaders and stakeholders from across the region.

The event begins at noon and will be followed up with music and food trucks being provided by the Downtown Pasco Authority.

"We will have several food trucks and D.J. Friday, March 11, until 3 p.m. for people who couldn't make it out the ribbon cutting." authority interim director Oscar Martinez said. "It's a chance to take a look at the new market for those that are curious. We'll also have a bazaar with vendors, food and music Saturday starting at noon.

"You can still sign up for the bazaar as a vendor. It's a good opportunity to see what it's like to be a part of the market in May. It's another chance to check out this incredible community resource."

$6 Million Investment

The new market will include a permanent food truck installation, pavilions for the vendors, and a space for artwork. Federal, state Department of Commerce and local funding totaling $6 million helped pay for construction that started last year.

"This is really a chance to change the cornerstone gathering place of downtown and kicking off a lot of great improvements that we will see at Lewis Street corridor, including the overpass construction as well." City Community Services Director Zach Ratkai said.

He oversaw construction.

The Farmers Market renovations are just one of several projects the city is currently working on.

The Lewis Street overpass project is in full swing and will be completed in the ladder of 2023. It will replace the old underpass along Lewis Street and provide easy access from Oregon onto Lewis.

The city is also working on the downtown master plan, a roadmap for future public and private investment in the downtown core.

As for Mario Quintero and Brother's Cheese Steaks, the grand opening of the Farmers Market means a better future. "It's an exciting time and we hope it bring a lot more business," Quintero said.