By David Lazenby

davidl@cullmantimes.com

An adjustment to the Festhalle Market Platz’s hours of operation was the only suggested change by its steering committee, which recently reviewed the market’s inaugural year.

“Everyone was very, very pleased,” Manager Jimmy Simms said about comments made during the Nov. 28 meeting.

Market organizers want to open and close earlier on Thursdays next year.

This year the market was open on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. Next year it will stay open from noon until 6 p.m. if the initiative is approved by the Cullman City Council at its Dec. 17 meeting.

The decision was based in part on vendor requests and customer surveys conducted during the market’s last two weeks of operation.

Simms said 86 individuals voiced their opinions in the survey.

He pointed out that only one person surveyed said they disapproved of the city council’s decision to build the $617,343 structure at the corner of First Avenue and Arnold Street Northeast.

However, that same person had positive comments about Festhalle, including his desire to see it expand its operation.

“He didn’t think we should have built it, but thought we should be open more hours.” Simms said.

The Festhalle’s operation got good marks from individuals polled at the 7,250 square foot facility.

Fifty five of those surveyed said the operation of the market was excellent and 29 ranked it as “good.” Only one person called the operation “fair.”

A similar question about special events, entertainment and cooking demonstrations performed at the Platz got a similar response with 49 calling it excellent, 24 saying it was good and four claiming the events were fair.

Better ratings were garnered by the produce and other items sold by farmers at the market. Sixty three of those surveyed said it was excellent, 21 said it was good and one person said it was fair.

The comments portion of the survey resulted in 16 requests that the market open its doors more days of the week, more hours of the day or a combination of the two.

Simms said organizers may honor this request by opening earlier this year.

Last year, the market opened on June 2. However, the date was dictated by the construction of the Festhalle completed on May 17.

Simms said he plans to meet with vendors after the start of the year to gauge their interest in opening earlier to sell bedding plants and strawberries.

“Our vendors are the best experts of that,” he said.

Another determining factor, Simms said, is this year’s drought.

Simms said he expects more of the Festhalle’s 32 vendor spaces will be rented when it opens this spring. This year, 22 of those spaces were leased prior to the start of the season. On average, Simms said the market had 10 vendors per day.

“Ninety nine percent of them (vendors) said they want the same space for the market for next year,” Simms said. “I anticipate those and more.”

The Festhalle had more than just fresh produce. Last year, the Festhalle hosted 18 public and private events including Oktoberfest, Touring Farms for Kids, the congressional Farm Tour, A Taste of Cullman and Farm-City Day. Simms said most of these will return next year.

“Its more than a farmer’s market; it’s a community pavilion,” Simms said.