Arts Market booted from bank lot leaves vendors scrambling to find new location

The Fernandina Beach Arts Market, a vibrant open-air marketplace held in historic downtown has been kicked out of its 12-year location by Pineland Bank.

Market owners Elizabeth and Joe Lee, along with market manager Judie Mackie made the announcement on Facebook.

"It is with great sadness and disappointment that we have to announce that after 12 years our Arts Market is no longer allowed to set up in the parking lot of Pineland Bank. We were notified via email that, effective immediately, we would not be able to use their lot. This means that our Arts Market this Saturday, May 24th, and all future Arts Markets have been cancelled until we find an alternate location.

"Please keep all our artists in your prayers as this abrupt cancellation has devastated them. Most were booked to attend through the end of the year and were expecting this income for their livelihood. We are searching for an alternate location and will let you know where we will be so you can continue to support these wonderful people.

The Farmers Market will continue on North 7th Street weekly as usual. We love you and thank you for your support all these years!"

The market was open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, featuring approximately 30 local and regional artisans offering handcrafted items such as paintings, pottery, textiles, jewelry, leather goods, and woodwork. The market was situated behind Pineland Bank at 715 Centre Street, adjacent to the Fernandina Beach Market Place farmer's market.

The Arts Market is known for its strict vendor guidelines, permitting only original, handcrafted items and prohibiting reselling, multi-level marketing, antiques, and imports. It often featured live music and extended its schedule during the holiday season to accommodate increased shopper demand, the group's website states.

Vendor Old Town Oysters wrote on Facebook: "It’s hard to put into words the disappointment of Pineland Bank abruptly deciding the Fernandina Beach Arts Market would no longer be allowed to use their parking lot off hours to conduct our bimonthly arts market.

"This will greatly impact the local art vendors who rely greatly on this amazing market to help provide for their families. It will also affect the local community as many people have enjoyed visiting our arts market as a Saturday morning ritual.

"However, our arts market is much bigger than where we set up. We are a family and are hoping to be able to find a space to continue providing our beautiful art to the local community."

Pineland Bank offered no explanation of why it ended the agreement with the Arts Market for the use of the parking lot on Facebook.