Czech Village farmers market returns

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Czech Village farmers market that shut down after the Flood of 2008 has returned.

The Village Farmers Market, run by the Czech Village Association, kicked off earlier this summer. It will continue July 11 and 25 and Aug. 8 and 22 at Sokol Park, on the banks of the Cedar River by the village.

But the pieces of the market's former home, the Riverside Roundhouse, are still in storage. The open-air Roundhouse served as the farmers market venue from 1962 to 2008. The structure stood where the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library currently sits. Volunteers dismantled the Roundhouse to make room for the museum, which relocated after the flood.

Now, supporters are using the revived farmers market to raise funds to restore the Roundhouse. The fees market vendors pay to rent stalls will go to the efforts.

Czech Village Association President Michelle Bell said she's excited to see a farmers market return to the district.

'We heard a lot of people talk about how they missed the farmers market,' she said. 'One of the main goals of the Czech Village Association is to bring people to the village.'

She said the Roundhouse, which would be used for other events as well, will contribute to that goal.

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'It's historic. It's memorable. When people talk about the Czech Village, they remember the Roundhouse,' she said. 'In my opinion, it's one of the last pieces of the puzzle for flood recovery.'

Efforts to restore the Roundhouse have been ongoing since it was dismantled in 2010. But where to locate the building, and how to fund its restoration, have been in flux over the last five years.

Current plans call for the facility to be located on green space between Sykora Bakery, 73 16th Ave. SW, and Ernie's Avenue Tavern, 69 16th Ave. SW. The facility would be elevated to escape future flooding, with the potential for parking underneath and an elevator to make it handicap accessible.

Bell wasn't sure how much the restoration would cost but said it will likely be funded primarily through donations and grants.

What: The Village Farmers Market

Where: Sokol Park, 16th Avenue and A Street SW, Cedar Rapids

When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22

Details: czechvillagecedarrapids.com

Donate: Checks for the Roundhouse restoration effort can be made out to the Czech Village Association and mailed to 76 16th Ave. SW., Cedar Rapids 52404.