Property available.......Should I buy?

[tinknal]

Two very small parcels along a state highway. They are left over after a road construction project. Both less than an acre. They anounced the sale and opened it for bids last month with an ending date in early May. Starting bids were under $1000 for each parcel. They have announced they are opening bids again under the same terms so they must not have gotten any bids the first time.

The area is rural. The State Hwy. is 2 lane that is lightly used except for the weekend when it is heavily traveled by folks from the citys traveling north.

The property could be used for a farm stand/ flea market type thing. Not sure if a flea market could legally go there without a permit or zone change, but I'm fairly certain that farm produce could be sold there without any red tape.

If I bought it I would rent space out to sellers. Any comments on liability, feasability, etc?

[Don]

Hi Tinknal,
This is Don DeLong, my late wife was Carla Emery - author of ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COUNTRY LIVING. Your thoughts of a roadside Farmer's Market sounds very feasible. Carla and I rented a table, when we were home, near the small town of Vail, Arizona. Table rental was/is $20 for the day. The hours varied by season: 9-2 in the Fall/Winter and 8-1 in the Spring/Summer. We sold her book as well as home-grown veggies and cage-free eggs...often did quite well!
How much 'homework' have you done? Have you talked with local farmers or homesteaders to see if this is something that they honestly would be interested in? Will the products be strictly 'organinc' or will you allow over-produce from commercial growers that use fertilizers you may not approve of? Will you be open 1, 2 or 3 days? Does the traffic flow begin on Friday or Saturday? Will you offer a daily rate as well as full week-end or longer term rate? How much parking would be needed? Would you have water and electricity available? Would the sellers prefer to provide their own tables or rent a 'permanent' lockable stall? Do you personally have the resources available, or would you need investors. What are the building codes in your area? You'll likely need sign permits. What does the county say about posting roadside 'sandwich boards' a mile or more down the road? Remember also, regardless of how 'unencumbered' some permits seem at this time, the government always has a way of sticking it's fingers in your business...particularly if you are doing something good and worthwhile!! If they can't find a way to have your operation more under their control, they'll MAKE a way if they feel they can benefit substantially.
This is not intended to be any negative input, and I'm not any sort of legal advisor...I only would ask, if you haven't done so already, that you cover all your bases. I'm all for another effort for a roadside farmer's market! I pray that if you feel confident in this wonderful adventure, that you, family and friends will be willing and able to see it through to prosperity! May God richly bless you and the dream you have! Please let me know what you decide and perhaps keep the good folks here at HT updated with a journal!

Blessings,
Don

[tinknal]

Don, thanks for your comments. I certainly wouldn't bar access to a nonorganic grower, as long as they didn't misrepresent thier products. I could stand to have a low cash flow as the initial investment will be very low. Fortunatly, I live in a state that allows sales from any producer at virtually any location without fees or licensure.

There are not really many comercial producers of fruits or vegitables in my area. Parking would be limited but I don't believe that it would be a problem given the location and expected traffic. Water and electricity would not be available, at least initially. Any stands built would be the responsobility of the owners. The main traffic would be Friday evening through Sunday evening.

This is in an area of increasing land values and even without the prospect of income I would feel comfortable buying the land as an investment. At this time I am not producing enough to justify having my own stand but that could easily change in the future.

Thanks for your input.

[suburbanite]

Tink--good luck on the bidding.

[seedspreader]

Hey tink... if you end up with an acre and a half... plant an acre of sweet corn and start
Tinks Too-Sweet Corn and Farmer's Market then sell other produce there. Let them pick their own also if you want.

[Maura]

I'd buy it. Once you put your own stand up, you may attract other sellers.