A Message to Our Community About Our Location

May 19th, 2025

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The Capital City Public Market has been a part of Boise for over thirty years. As the first farmers market in the city and surrounding areas, we’ve proudly served generations of Idahoans with local produce, artisan goods, and a sense of community. For most of our history, we were located right on the streets of Downtown Boise—a vibrant and visible home that helped our market thrive.

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Then came COVID. Like so many others, we were forced to pause and adapt. When the city reopened, we were no longer able to return to our original space on the streets and instead relocated to The Grove. It was a beautiful setting, but the location posed real challenges. Surrounded by tall buildings, many customers struggled to find us. Over the three years we spent at The Grove, vendor sales declined significantly, and the lack of visibility and space made it difficult for the market to grow. Vendors began to leave, and we knew something had to change.

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The decision to move was not taken lightly—it was made out of necessity. During the winter of 2024–25, we proposed more than 20 potential new locations to ACHD, the police and fire departments, and the City of Boise. Our first choice was a return to the streets, with Idaho Street as our top request. We also reached out to several private property owners with downtown parking lots. Unfortunately, every single location was either denied or unavailable—except for one.

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The lot we now call home, located at 422 S. 11th Street, is owned by Simplot. When we approached them, they welcomed us with open arms. It was a breath of fresh air—someone finally said yes. We’re incredibly thankful for their support. While this lot may not be paved and polished, it offers us something we haven’t had in a long time: visibility, space to grow, and the opportunity to welcome back food trucks and new vendors.

We know a dirt lot isn’t ideal. But it’s what we have right now, and we’re making the most of it. Our vendors work incredibly hard each week to bring high-quality, locally made products to this community. Your continued support means everything.

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Our number one priority has always been the success of our vendors. We want to provide a space where they can thrive—where they feel seen, supported, and successful. Please be mindful of the effort it takes to keep this market alive and vibrant. Supporting small, local businesses is more important than ever, and every visit, every purchase, and every kind word helps us carry on.

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Thank you for being part of our journey,
The Capital City Public Market Staff