Lexington, KY – The Executive Director of the Lexington Farmer’s Market, Jeff Dabbelt, announced his resignation effective June 30th, after 10 years at the helm of the market that has become a fixture of downtown Lexington as well as other locations around town.
Dabbelt assisted in bringing numerous changes to the market, including the move from Vine Street necessitated by the demolition of the CentrePointe block to Cheapside Park and the Fifth-Third Pavilion.
“I was a customer on Vine Street before I was employed by the market and I certainly loved the quality products and festive atmosphere I found downtown. However, it wasn’t until I was a manager and oversaw my first 5 a.m. market setup, complete with customers actively shopping, that I realized the true extent and importance of the Lexington Farmers’ Market to its members and to the community as a whole,” Dabblet stated in a release from the Farmers’ Market.
In addition to the year-round Saturday market in the Fifth Third Pavilion, the Farmers’ Market, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, also has Sunday markets on Southland Drive, Tuesday and Thursday markets at Broadway and Maxwell and Wednesday markets at Alumni and University during the growing season.
With a background in marketing and business, the release states Dabbelt built stronger links between parties engaged in direct retail marketing and oversaw a period of immense growth for the market. Before being named to the Lexington post, Dabbelt served as sales and outreach manager at Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga.
The President of the Lexington Farmers’ Market board, Mac Stone said Dabbelt “will be sorely missed,” and assures that “the members of the Lexington Farmers’ Market will undoubtedly carry on.”
No information was provided about a replacement for Dabbelt or a timetable for naming one.