The recession is being felt in many aspects of Kings County life, but what about Thursday Night Market Place? Those involved say the popular event is doing well -- and may even be benefiting from hard times.

The number of booths has increased, and more and more vendors want in.

The reason? The affordable Market Place may well have had its biggest crowds ever this year.

"I think the recession plays into that. I think it's an easy night out for a family. You don't have to spend a lot of money," said Jim Castleman, a Main Street Hanford director.

MSH runs the Market Place. Organizers report that the first installment of this summer's run was possibly the biggest ever.

The only negative impact of the recession appears to be fewer businesses offering to do the nightly sponsorship.

But that is balanced out by the number of businesses seeking booth space. The requests have been coming in steadily, organizers say, and not everybody is accepted.

Booth renters say they've benefited from the exposure.

Fagundes Old World Cheese, a specialty cheese maker in rural Kings County, sold $400 worth of cheese at one Market Place, said Rhonda Silveira, office manager for the company.

MSH gets 10 percent of what they sell, Silveira said.

At Teila's BBQ, owner Teila Kidd said she's benefited from the exposure.

Market Place is so popular, many businesses like Kidd's that are outside the downtown district want a piece of the action.

Their requests are taken under advisement, but preference is given to downtown business owners within the district who fund Main Street Hanford, according to Shelly Talbert, Main Street Hanford executive director.

Some want MSH to make the Market Place more inclusive.

"I think in recessional times, maybe you loosen up a little bit and let everyone participate," said Hope Morikawa, Hanford Chamber of Commerce executive director.

The chamber is planning to do an off-season Market Place-type event that will run through the winter months. The event will likely be downtown, also on Thursday, and will be open to all businesses equally, Morikawa said.

MSH staff say they don't necessarily mind other businesses renting booths, but are bound to give first dibs to the downtown establishments that fund their organization.

"We try to be in tune with that ... We've tried to stay away from outside the district," Castleman said.

One thing nobody disputes is the importance that the Market Place has assumed in Kings County life. The event has become a major summertime reference point for local residents.

"I know that we are known throughout the Valley for it," Morikawa said.

"I think people would be really devastated if we didn't have the Thursday Night Market Place," said Main Street Hanford director Tami Stoll.

Many feel the event has become a central part of the business organization's strategy to promote and energize the downtown area.

The real goal of the Market Place is to earn money so MSH can revitalize old buildings and bring in new businesses, she said.

MSH leaders maintain that the Market Place benefits downtown businesses simply by drawing thousands of people every week to walk past the storefronts.

"We've succeeded in that. To that end, we've done our jobs," said MSH treasurer Dave Geide.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(Sept. 12. 2009)