BARRYVILLE, NY — After operating for 14 years, the Barryville Farmers' Market is shutting down and moving to Narrowsburg.

According to a social media post from the market manager Greg Swartz, the market’s agreement with the River Market was not renewed in December 2018.

According to the owners, who donated the use of the space each Saturday from May to October, the farm market growth and popularity caused it to outgrow its current location. Citing safety, traffic and noise complaints that they received last summer, they let the farm market know a new location would need to be found for the 2019 season.

Swartz wrote that the market organizers explored various options that would allow them to keep the operation in or near Barryville. The locations they considered included the Carriage House Restaurant, Rohman’s Park in Shohola, Eldred High School, the Corner in Eldred and the Yulan ball field. 

All of the locations had some condition that made them poor options for a new market; finding suitable parking was an especially difficult task.

“As farmers, producers and artisans, this is our livelihood. Selling directly to our community is a very fulfilling way to make a living because we can meet each and every one of you, tell you the stories of our products and form such strong personal relationships while deepening your connection to your food.

“As we have deliberated about the change of location..., we desperately wanted to stay in Barryville. However, none of the potential sites met the above criteria. Any suggestions that we are eagerly decamping to Narrowsburg or that we have declined proposed locations without serious consideration are not accurate. This is a monumental decision that affects all of our businesses and, of course, the community.”

Although they would have preferred to stay in Barryville, the vendors have agreed to move to Narrowsburg. All of the vendors will be setting up shop at the Narrowsburg Union every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 18 through October 26, rain or shine.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an earlier factual error. There was no official lease between the farmers' market and the River Market property, rather, it was an agreement between the two parties.