About the Famous Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
The mission of The Downtown SLO Farmers' Market is to provide a vibrant and safe weekly gathering that builds community and supports local businesses downtown.
For information and frequently asked questions, click here!
When did the Market start?
The Market unofficially began in the late ‘70s, when loud car cruising down Higuera Street became a popular evening activity. As this new trend drove away shoppers, downtown merchants had trouble keeping their doors open late.
To encourage locals to shop downtown in the evening, the Downtown Association (now known as “Downtown SLO”) shut the street down on Thursdays and invited merchants to set up tables outside to sell their products.
In 1983, we invited farmers to participate and officially became the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market.
Our goals:
- Create a positive experience in downtown San Luis Obispo
- Expose community members to retail stores and services offered downtown
- Generate foot traffic on Thursday nights
- Provide a forum for community activities
- Maintain downtown as the center of retail, social and civic activities
- Enhance the community as a whole
The Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market is one of several public programs & events operated by Downtown SLO, a 501c6 nonprofit. Learn more here!