Should the Wednesday Farmers Market Include a Wine and Beer Garden?

Imagine strolling through the Farmers Market on a Wednesday afternoon, selecting produce for an intimate dinner party. You browse the wine section and sample a few before selecting the perfect compliment—a locally made cabernet sauvignon.

Now, imagine trying to navigate the downtown farmers market or play area with young children, carefully avoiding the loud beer garden on your way to the playground. Suddenly, this family-friendly activity is not so G-rated anymore.

That was the debate at the July 16 Puyallup city council meeting, when City Attorney Kevin Yamamoto asked for council opinion of granting a liquor license to the Puyallup Main Street Association, for a possible wine and beer garden at the Wednesday night Farmers Market.

The group is seeking a special farmers market provision in the state’s liquor code that would allow sellers to operate at the community market as they would at a winery or brewery, with offerings like special tastings, Yamamoto said.

“I don’t think we need alcohol in the park—there are a lot of kids there,” said deputy mayor John Knutson. “And technically, it’s like giving someone a license to open a bar once a week without going through all the rigmarole a private person would do.”

Yamamoto also proposed another option--permitting the Farmers Market to host a beer and wine garden in the City Hall courtyard, across the street from the park. 

"That sounds pointless," said councilmember John Hopkins.

Most council members echoed the concern of allowing alcohol in the park at all and the business it would take away from downtown.

“I would not support this because it would be competitive with our downtown businesses,” said Mayor Rick Hansen. “It might be an opportunity for someone from downtown to be in it, but it might not be, too.”

The council informally voted against the wine and beer garden with a “thumbs up, thumbs down” recommendation for Yamamoto. Since the council strongly disliked the plan, that alone can influence and stop the permitting process from moving forward.

Do you agree with the council’s opinion about a wine and beer garden, or do you think it would be a good addition to the mid-week Farmers Market? Tell us in the comments.