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Country's Oldest Farmers Market Nixes Pre-Dawn Start Time

Majority of Alexandria market patrons support later hours

By: Michael Pope // March 30, 2012
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Shoppers browse at the Old Town Farmers Market in Alexandria, Va., which is the oldest continuous market in the country. After decades, the city is pushing back the market's weekly start time from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. 
M.V. Jantzen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvjantzen/5100255827/)
Shoppers browse at the Old Town Farmers Market in Alexandria, Va., which is the oldest continuous market in the country. After decades, the city is pushing back the market's weekly start time from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. 

Visitors to the Old Town Farmers market in Alexandria will be able to sleep in a little later from now on.

Founded in 1752, the Old Town Farmers Market is the oldest continuously operating market in the country. And it's about to stay open a little later. This week, the Alexandria City Council approved a measure that will change the hours. 

Instead of beginning at 5:30 a.m., the market will begin a 7 a.m. The market will subsequently change its closing time to noon. City leaders say a recent survey of vendors, customers and businesses shows strong support for later hours, especially since the market is still filled with people when the vendors start packing up for the day.

The new hours start in May.

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