Ivy Hagedorn and Lindsay Gagnon on how their farmers market helped revitalize Downtown Joplin

Farmers markets are often touted as a key to revitalizing failing downtowns. And while they aren't a panacea for all Main St. issues, when executed well, they really can turn around a business district in a special way. Our guests this week represent one of those Main Street success stories: Ivy Hagedorn and Lindsay Gagnon, of the Downtown Joplin Alliance and Joplin Empire Market. Back in December of 2016, the Empire District Electric Company donated to the Downtown Joplin Alliance over 33,000 square feet of buildings on 3.34 acres in the center of Joplin. Downtown Joplin Alliance re-purposed this historic building and its attached 11,000 sqft. garage as the new four-season Empire Market which opened in April 2018 and is now home to a growing roster of farmers, vendors and a brand new shared use commercial kitchen. Not only did the Joplin Empire Market reactivate a lackluster business district, it also breathed new life into a defunct historical building! Listen along to hear this incredible story. This week's episode is made possible by support from The Food Corridor.