SEQUIM — Lisa Bridge has her job back, without the paycheck for now.
Bridge is the new manager of the Sequim Open Aire Market, a spring-through-fall Saturday gathering of local farmers, artisans and food vendors on West Cedar Street downtown.
Until last month, her title was director, her wages $18 per hour for 20 hours a week, and her mission to grow the market’s vendor, shopper and sponsor numbers.
Bridge was hired in December to succeed Mark Ozias, who’d spent the past four years bringing in many new vendors and musicians, and generally raising awareness of what he called the “weekly community happening.”
But then, the Open Aire Market board of directors discovered that it didn’t have the funds to pay Bridge.
Lacking sponsors for the market — amid 2009’s economic meltdown, several supporting businesses had decamped — the board voted to dissolve the director’s position.
Bridge’s last day was Feb. 20.
Patricia Earnest, then the president of the board, said she hoped to rehire Bridge in time for the market’s opening day May 8 — and last Monday, Bridge was offered the renamed job.
She’s seasonal manager, not year-round director.
“Unfortunately, there’s no pay,” Earnest added, “until the money starts coming in.”
Bridge, at work Friday afternoon, had only positive things to say about her post.
“I see it as a sustainable position,” she said, “that’s totally worthwhile.”
She’s working 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, seeking sponsors and new vendors, and organizing the indoor Spring Preview, which will coincide with Sequim’s Earth Day festival April 17 at the Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St.
Sponsorships
The board plans to offer various levels of sponsorship, from $1,000 to back the music stage all season long, to $500 to sponsor the market’s off-season indoor shows including the Spring Preview.
“Market aficionados” would display their advertising materials for a full month for $250, “Open Aire advocates” would sponsor the market for $100 per week and the “Open Aire Ally” would be the least expensive level at $35.
Before she was laid off, Bridge created a flier for potential sponsors, promoting the Open Aire Market as a place to connect with the shoppers who pour through, spending an annual $250,000 over the 24-week season.
The Saturday event is “the soul of Sequim,” the flier reads, and “the buy-local movement has momentum that just keeps rolling.”
Without sponsors, the board couldn’t afford to hire Bridge, “who has a great passion for our local market and for seeing it grow,” said Connie Durant, now president of the board since Earnest became vice president.
“We hope that our community members will see the value of the market,” Durant said, “and will be willing to help us however they are able. We’re so grateful for their support.”
42 vendors so far
Earnest added that as of last month, 42 vendors had signed up for the 2010 season.
There’s room for many more, and an informational meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 24 at Sequim High School cafeteria, 601 N. Sequim Ave.
The annual membership fee for vendors is $50, or newcomers can choose a $25 trial membership, which covers three Saturdays at the market.
To participate in the Spring Preview — which coincides with Sequim’s Earth Day festival, also at the Boys & Girls Club — the vendor fee is $35.
Bridge, meantime, is throwing the market gate open to new sellers and new ideas. There are open seats on the board, she said, adding that she envisions a panel that represents all aspects of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley community.
“We would be happy to have more perspectives on the board, such as someone with marketing skills, or with connections to agriculture,” Bridge said.
“I want to know if there are more out there,” who are making art, growing food and wanting to share their wares.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.