Little bits of big news
Hutto Farmers Market leaves downtown
Amid concerns about potential new regulations and reports of unwelcoming neighboring businesses, Hutto Farmers Market has relocated from their former home in downtown Hutto to the Hutto Discovery United Methodist Church, 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd.
“Being in a new location is nice for people who didn’t normally know about the market. We have noticed new customers coming through the market and we have had our regulars come through too. We like to partner with local businesses and moving to this new location has given us more opportunities to do that,” said Joseph Cortez, who owns and operates Hutto Farmers Market with partner Daniela Medellin. “They (Discovery Church) are happy to let us be a place where small business can operate. It kind of just aligned.”
Cortez, Medellin and a number of vendors, customers and neighboring businesses appeared at a Jan. 4 City Council meeting to speak out against implications made during a Dec. 14 council workshop.
During that workshop, Mayor Mike Snyder stated that he received complaints from downtown businesses about the farmers market. Snyder said business owners he spoke to mentioned frustration over too few available parking places downtown to support the farmers market, and he had concerns about what he called unfair competition taking business away from brick-and-mortar storefronts and restaurants.
Imposing additional fees and requirements on farmers market vendors downtown was also discussed.
While Cortez and Medellin were willing to fight for their right to conduct business, there are no current city ordinances prohibiting a privately- owned and operated farmers market leasing privately owned space in downtown. The couple eventually decided moving was the better option for the small businesses that make up their market.
“Our new location is in central Hutto with several fantastic restaurants and shopping centers around us that have been very welcoming and supportive of the market. We also have several new small businesses joining the market within the next month and will continue to serve as your local drop-off point for compostable items,” the couple posted.
Hutto Farmers Market runs every Wednesday year-round from 3 to 7 p.m.
More school buses rolling in Hutto Independent School District continues to put its bond dollars to work. Since November, the district has been taking delivery of new school buses ordered through the bond, with the final buses scheduled to arrive this month. Once after-market installations are complete, including radios and cameras, the buses will join the district’s active fleet.
HISD data shows 37.5% of the district’s 10,035 students ride the bus daily. The district serves Hutto as well as portions of Georgetown, Round Rock and Taylor, according to their demographic information.
“Thanks to Hutto ISD’s voters authorizing the 2023 Bond program and approving Proposition A, which includes $10 million for new buses and operations, the district is moving forward with its fleet replacement and refresh plans while also planning for future growth as the district prepares to add new campuses. Bond 2023 funds allowed the district to purchase 15 new buses, including eleven 77-passenger buses and four 54-passenger models equipped with wheelchair securements. Each new bus comes at a cost of nearly $146,000,” said Jamie Marrow, transportation operations manager.
A Hutto spokesperson said the buses have safety features including seat belts, which students are required to wear, and “double air conditioning.”
HISD is currently working on replacing the app that riders and parents use to keep up to date on bus assignments and changes. The new app, called Smart Tag, is expected to be implemented in Fall 2024.
Joseph Cortez and Daniela Medellin stock the shelves at Hutto Soap and Candle shop, a small business they co-own in addition to Hutto Farmers Market. Photo by Edie Zuvanich
