It is imperative that the Overland Park Farmers' Market (OPFM) return to its home under the Farmers' Market Pavilion in the heart of Downtown Overland Park, Kansas (DOP) as soon as possible. The post-pandemic recovery of the merchants, restaurants and small businesses that are the lifeblood of DOP depend upon it. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the OPFM was relocated for public health safety precautions. However, in light of recent changes to the CDC's latest guidelines, the measures implemented in 2020 are no longer necessary.  

The points set forth below support an urgency for the City of Overland Park, Kansas to immediately move the OPFM back to its original location.  

• It is the merchants, restaurants and other small businesses in DOP that have created a unique alchemy and vibrant destination that sets the area apart from others in Johnson County and the KC Metro area. These businesses have made great investments in the area, some for decades, and each has built a business model based on the existing infrastructures in place in DOP, including the OPFM under the pavilion.
• The area has attracted developers and other critical investors who have chosen to locate and/or build in DOP based on its unique experience as a walkable and vibrant community. Pre-pandemic, the popularity of the area was rapidly growing and continuing to attract more residents and shoppers from across the KC Metro.  This development positively impacted not only DOP and its residents both in the heart of DOP as well as the surrounding neighborhoods, but also the entire City of Overland Park, Kansas.
• DOP merchants, restaurants and other small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and continue to struggle to recover.  Having the OPFM at the central pavilion in DOP is a crucial element to their recovery. They have waited for many months for the pandemic to lessen, all the while trying to remain relevant and afloat, tapping into the entrepreneurial skills that made them a successful part of this vibrant community in the first place.  The City’s decision not to move the Farmers' Market back immediately following the loosening of COVID protocols has made recovery much more difficult. The closing of even a few of these treasured businesses would negatively impact the image and resiliency of the area.
• The merchants, restaurants and other small businesses in DOP rely on, appreciate and have come to expect the support of the City of Overland Park. Moving the  OPFM back to the pavilion by July 1, 2021 would be evidence of the City’s belief in and support of these unique businesses as they attempt to bring themselves back to full operations.

Small businesses in DOP are suffering along with many other businesses across America. Now that the hope of a return to "normal" is nearing, restoring the OPFM to the pavilion would tremendously help DOP, its residents and the entire City of Overland Park once again. Please reach out to the City of Overland Park, the OPFM, its Market Coordinator and your Overland Park City Council Members (contact info below) with your request for and support of a decision to immediately bring the OPFM back to its home in the heart of DOP under the pavilion. We don't want the Downtown Overland Park experience to fade into history.

For developing news, visit www.facebook.com/BringOPFMHome  and @BringOPFMHome

Contact Information

Carl Gerlach, Mayor: Phone 913-895-6104  Email  carl.gerlach@opkansas.org

Bill Ebel, City Manager: Phone 913-895-6101  Email  bill.ebel@opkansas.org

Kristina Stanley, Market Coordinator: Phone 913.895.6390  Email kristina.stanley@opkansas.org

Council Members  

Holly Grummert: Phone 913-895-6577  Email holly.grummert@opkansas.org

Logan Heley: Phone 913-895-6575  Email logan.heley@opkansas.org

Paul Lyons: Phone 913-895-6574  Email  paul.lyons@opkansas.org

Jim Kite: Phone 913-438-2183  Email  jim.kite@opkansas.org

Curt Skoog: Phone 913-895-6108  Email  curt.skoog@opkansas.org

Fred Spears: Phone 913-895-6569  Email  fred.spears@opkansas.org

Tom Carignan: Phone 913-895-6576  Email  tom.carignan@opkansas.org

Stacie Gram: Phone 913-895-6567  Email  stacie.gram@opkansas.org

John Thompson: Phone 913-895-6568  Email  john.thompson@opkansas.org

Faris Farassati: Phone 913-645-7929  Email  faris.farassati@opkansas.org

Chris Newlin: Phone 913-895-6565  Email  chris.newlin@opkansas.org

Scott Hamblin: Phone 913-895-6578  Email  scott.hamblin@opkansas.org