Cheryl Smith
The Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market has been such a success for 28 years, it’s time to extend the concept across the street into an almost-daily indoor market with over 100 vendors, said Trina Gibson.
The Pierce Public Market she and husband Ken will open in The One Eleven Building on Nov. 15 will be a cooperative of 100 vendors selling a huge array of food, products and services in one place, Gibson said.
It's not affiliated with the Main Street farmers market, but Gibson hopes people will see it as a natural extension.
The 1919 St. Lucie County Bank, remodeled in 1954, is a warm and inviting space again, with exposed Dade County pine ceilings, original brick walls and tile floors, and period lights and fixtures such as the antique bronze tin-tile drop ceiling. Fort Pierce old-timers call it the Edwin Binney Bank because his money kept it afloat in the Depression.
The 14,000-square-foot indoor market includes the space that formerly housed the Village Beach Market, which closed after only three weeks, plus the dogleg that housed the bank's customer service area.
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The market could draw customers from Melbourne to Jupiter, Gibson said.
“Everybody loves the (downtown farmers) market,” she said, adding the indoor market will be equally great for “moms and dads with kids, senior citizens who want to relax and buy gifts, and locals out walking their dogs.” It also will be a good rainy-day activity to do.
New Pierce Public Market in downtown Fort Pierce
Enter from Second Street or Orange Avenue into a food hall with a cafe?, coffee shop, dessert bar, beer and wine bar, candy and sweets shop, and gourmet dog food shop offering barkcuterie boards. Pop-up boutiques will sell clothes, jewelry and leatherwork. Shops will sell books, candles, home de?cor, culinary items, watercolor cards, health and beauty products, and much more.
The original bank vault will house a beer and wine bar people can rent for gatherings such as holiday parties, girls night out, and company pizza parties. There’s also a high-tech private meeting room.
The market kitchen will offer its own salad bar and affordable grab-and-go sandwiches you can order online ahead of time, to be in and out in 30 minutes, Gibson said.
Farmers market and coop concept
A native of Belfast, Ireland, Gibson — nee Angelone — moved to Fort Pierce in 1983 and worked in St. Lucie County education for 20 years and then global corporate online training for another 20 years. After marrying, retiring and returning to Fort Pierce, the Gibsons opened Downtown Cellars in June 2024 and closed in April 2025.
Gibson blamed its small size, early-night customers, and dependence on people walking by and stopping in.
The co-op concept — similar to today's shared work spaces — was a "meeting of the minds" between her; her husband, who worked in multiple industries, including hospitality; and building owner Steve Tarr, who was instrumental in preserving the historic bank features.
They wanted a community gathering space akin to the Charleston City Market in South Carolina; the Ponce City Market in Atlanta, Georgia; and the St George’s Market in her native Belfast.
“How do we put something together that won’t be just a bar or just a restaurant or just a shop?” they asked. “When you have something like this artisan market, you actually get so many locally produced goods, products and services in one place. And we wanted to create something that drives traffic to all the businesses downtown.”
Shop local at farmers markets
Their market research showed that a more affordable venture with varied offerings could succeed where the more upscale, expensive, gourmet Village Beach Market failed.
“It’s a big trend to shop local, shop markets and support local artisans, especially among young people in their 20s and 30s,” Gibson said. “Since COVID, they’re wanting more than computers, so they’ve started crafting and need somewhere to sell what they make and make a little extra income.”
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Leased spaces will range from a 2X2-foot shelf on a five-tier stack to a 20X24-foot booth.
The Gibsons will have a job/hiring fair for 15-20 positions from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 25. Bring a resume and be prepared for an immediate interview.
The grand opening will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 15. After that, regular hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays; and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
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