In an open letter to the community late yesterday afternoon, Joshua Tree Certified Farmers’ Market founder/owner Lori Herbel announced that county code enforcement had decided to allow the popular market a 30-day stay of enforcement efforts. The letter doesn’t’ speculate whether the change of heart could be attributed to Herbel’s charm and perseverance, or possibly county administrators were feeling pressured by the online petition that has been attracting 1,000 new signatures a day for the better part of a week. Regardless of the motivation, the stay allows time for Herbel to apply for a revised county permit. Hebel’s letter also vows she will reach out to surrounding businesses and property owners to, quote, “address any concerns they may have regarding the Market continuing in its present location.” So while the county has made no guarantees, the future of the Joshua Tree’s Certified Farmers’ Market looks a little brighter.
