Gabby De La Cruz
Staff Writer

Downtown Pomona residents can now look forward to a new Family Market Place at Thomas Street from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. This European-style farmer’s market features organic, non-organic and exotic produce along with unique gifts, arts from local merchants, food and entertainment.

Jerry Dahlberg, the market manager, was hired to put on this weekly event, which began two months ago, by the Market Merchants Association.

“I think this is going to be a fantastic event for the people in town to attend,” Dahlberg said. “We plan on having contests with great prizes such as trips to Disneyland, TV’s and much more.”

Dahlberg said more and more people are submitting applications to become vendors at the market, especially local companies located in downtown.

The market, which is expected to be a year round event, holds a classic car show every second Wednesday, with a live D.J.

Ann Cruz, 35, is a currently selling wax candles at the market.  She began selling at the market since it first started two months ago and said the crowd is slowly picking up.

“It is slow right now because we need to get more people,” Cruz said. “It picked up last week around seven.”

Dahlberg said he is currently working on advertising the market to the residents of Pomona. He is also working on getting a live band playing every week.

University of La Verne student, Donna Catota attended the event and said that although there were not many people, she really enjoyed the atmosphere.

“We have a farmer's market back home in L.A.,” Catota said. “ It’s nice to get away sometimes come to places like these, especially now that spring is here.”

Richard Vass, a mortgage broker participating for the first time, had a booth promoting his business. The building, which he works in, is right behind the market.”

“After work, we usually come out, mingle and get something to eat,” Vass said. “The market is really nice, hopefully more people will come out now that they’re starting to promote it.’

Dahlberg said he encourages more people to come out and visit the market. It is put on for entertainment and fun, and knows people will enjoy it.

He claimed that with more people signing up to become vendors or participants of the market, more people will eventually hear about the entertainment and attend. If this event is successful, it will run every week all year round.

‘The merchants in downtown are brought in for the residents,” Dahlberg said. “If it is successful, which it will be, it will become an annual event.”

Gabby De La Cruz can be reached at gdelacruz@ulv.edu.