Lexington Farmers Market vendor says he’s been kicked out after more than 20 years
A familiar vendor known for hot breakfasts, as well as meats, eggs, breads and home-canned items, apparently will not be at the Lexington Farmers Market this year.
But it is unclear why.
Quarles Farm in Frankfort posted the news on social media, announcing, “I regret to inform the patrons and friends of Quarles Farm that the Board of Lexington Farmers Market informed us Saturday, February 15th at 1:25 p.m. that they have banned us from market participation, for unknown reasons, after serving you and Lexington for almost 20 years.”
Lexington Farmers Market manager Josh England confirmed to the Herald-Leader that the 11-member board had not selected Quarles Farm for membership for 2025, but he declined to comment on why.
“The board made this difficult decision after reviewing applications for this year,” England said. “They are welcome to apply for next year.”
Paul Quarles said that any thought he had about why they were not renewed “would be speculation ... and I don’t do that if I can get out of it.”
He said their booth was one of the largest at the market, helping to anchor it along with Elmwood Farm next to them in the row.
“My wife and I have four booth spaces to display our product,” he said. “We strive to bring a lot of products, and we need a place for the dog to sit on. The dog’s a big draw. One of our spaces includes the grill, which is the longest-running grill in the history of the market. ... We strive to give people a chance to have food at the market.”
The farm routinely set up in the center of the pavilion in Tandy Centennial Park on Main Street during the Saturday morning, with farm dog Red often asleep atop a table in the background, and in the middle of the Sunday market along Southland Drive.
Owners Paul and Janet Quarles said on Feb. 20 they had not been given any reason for the market not to renew their membership. On Feb. 24, Quarles Farm posted another letter from Lexington Farmers Market indicating their application was received after the renewal deadline.
“We don’t believe the late application is the reason we were not accepted back to the market for the 2025 Season since we know other vendors submitted late and paid late and were accepted at the same meeting where we were rejected/banned,” the farm said in the post.
“Please note the Board is still seeking new member applications through March 5th on a rolling basis. This leads us to believe that the late application is not the determining factor for our ejection. Regardless, the Board members know the reason and refuse to sign off or stand behind their actions.”
The farm said they also had paid the market $6,150 in membership dues in January and is seeking that money back if they won’t be allowed to participate.
Board member James Lewis of Bourbon County Bison said Wednesday Quarles Farm still has that money. “The Lexington Farmers Market did not cash the check that Quarles Farm provided to us,” Lewis said.
Janet Quarles confirmed the money is still in their account but the board has not returned their check.
Lewis referred all other questions to England and board chair John Garey of Martin Mill. On Wednesday, Garey declined to comment.
Quarles Farm is looking for a new venue for the summer.
Paul Quarles encouraged customers to keep going to the market.
“People need to go to the market whether we are there or not, whether they are happy or upset and patronize the people who are there who did not make this terrible decision,” he said. “Some vendors depend on this to make their living. We do not need to hurt the smaller vendors the way those 10 votes hurt me. That’s not how this should be.”
The Lexington Farmers Market is currently operating out of Greyline Station at Loudon and North Limestone on Saturday morning. The market will move back to the downtown pavilion on March 22 and will return to Southland Drive on April 6.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
