Diane Hughes

Within a day of announcing he was closing the open-air Chattanooga Market, co-owner Nick Jessen got the phone call he was hoping for.

Mr. Jessen, who agreed to sell the market he manages, announced today that it will open April 27 under new ownership.

“We’ve always hoped the market would continue, and we’d like to hope that people will continue to buy locally,” he said.

Chris Thomas, founder of Palo Duro Records based in Ooltewah, said he has begun establishing a nonprofit organization to run the market.

“My involvement will be limited,” he said. “Eventually, it will be a stand-alone operation with a separate board.”

The market will operate much as it did last year, including its involvement with charitable events, Mr. Thomas said.

“We want to keep 2008 as close to what the 2007 market was,” he said.

His interest in the market lies in its value to the community as a whole, but to the arts and entertainment communities in particular, Mr. Thomas said.

“We are obviously heavily involved in the entertainment business, but we also support the arts in general,” he said. “The bottom line, though, is that it struck me as something that needed to be saved.”

Mr. Thomas said he expects to finalize the sale no later than the end of March.

Staff File Photo by Brett Clark -- Hummingbird feeders hang in the Kennedy Feeder booth at the Chattanooga Market. The glass-blown feeders were made by Stephen and Audrey Kennedy.

Mr. Jessen, who has accepted a job as regional sales manager with Chattanooga-based Heil Trailer International, said he is pleased the market will continue and that vendors will have a place to sell their products.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Jessen said he decided to discontinue the market because it had not “reached a point of independent operation.”

Diane and Terry Hughes of Flat Top Mountain Farm Market have sold produce at the market for five years. She said the venue gives them an opportunity to put their product in front of potential customers.

“It gives you more exposure,” she said.

Rick Thompson, a principal at Artech, said he and his wife, Susie, are regular market shoppers and also enjoy the social aspects of attending.

“I am thrilled to hear someone is stepping up,” he said. “It has become part of our routine to go down there after church and shop for fresh vegetables and cheese, the goat cheese, and the different items.”

Melissa Siragusa, who has a background in sales and marketing, will be in charge of running the market, Mr. Thomas said.

“I’m very excited about this,” Mrs. Siragusa said. “One of the things I like about Chattanooga is that you can get involved and make a difference.”

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