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Business & Tech

West Harrison Farmers Market Could Provide Boost to Silver Lake Businesses

The allure of locally-grown fruits and vegetables at a new farmers market in West Harrison this summer might also help draw in more customers to local businesses.

The Silver Lake business district in West Harrison could get a much needed boost in foot traffic this summer.

Last week, the Harrison Town Board unanimously approved a farmers market, which is set to be held on Saturday mornings in the parking lot across from the business strip on Lake Street.

Denise Di Biasi, a Purchase resident who pitched the idea to the town board last fall, said that the market could help the revival of area businesses.

"West Harrison had a streetscape redesign two years ago," she explained. "They closed Lake Street to do it and it drove a lot of the businesses away. They just couldn't keep their stores and restaurants open."

But farmers markets across the state have helped revitalize struggling local economies, according to Diane Eggert, executive director of the Farmers' Market Federation of New York.

"The increased traffic in a community generated by a farmers market often results in business growth, incubating new businesses, supporting new business start-ups and revitalizing business districts," Eggert said in a 2007 speech.

Other benefits she noted include increasing a community's access to locally-produced food, decreasing the amount of miles food travels to one's plate, and generating tourism.

Harrison Chamber of Commerce President Ada Angarano said that while only one West Harrison merchant is a chamber member, she thinks the market will "be a great thing for everybody."

The market is set to be managed by Bensidoun USA, a Chicago-based company that runs the White Plains Farmers Market as well as 15 markets in the Chicago area.

According to Johanna Safar, a Harrison resident who manages the White Plains market, an official contract between the Town of Harrison and Bensidoun USA is in the works.

Harrison Mayor Joan Walsh was on vacation this week and unavailable for comment.

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Bensidoun USA is owned by father and son duo Rolland and Sebastien Bensidoun. They also run more than 80 markets in Paris and the surrounding suburbs, according to the company's website.

Safar said that the West Harrison site will follow a similar setup to the White Plains market, which was established six years ago.

"In the other towns where Bensidoun has set up markets, usually it brings traffic and people come and buy not only at the market, but also at the shops," she said.

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Once the contracts are finalized, Safar explained, she'll solicit possible vendors, who will likely sell items such as fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and breads.

"We're trying to get local foods as much as possible," she said.

Di Biasi said the she anticipates the market will draw in visitors who are traveling via Lake Street to Westchester County Airport and to White Plains, as well as people who live in White Plains who might not be able to attend the daytime market there on Wednesdays due to work. She also noted that Passidomo Park is a popular weekend desination for families during the summer for recreation and sports games.

Angarano suggested that another way to draw in visitors to the market would be for town officials to set up a bus for senior citizens who may want to visit the market from downtown Harrison.

Safar said she expects the market to open in mid-May or early June. It will be held every Saturday through mid-November from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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