Wasn't the paved area under the Main Street Bridge, between MOSH and Treaty Oak Park, supposed to be an outdoor farmers/flea market? Today, outside of skateboarders, it sits empty most of the week.
Ideally, the Beaver Street market would have gone to DT or LaVilla or this location. However, there is a Greenville Farmer's Market similiar to Beaver Street, and also a Saturday market DT. The one DT is much smaller and more of a niche market.
Both have local produce, but the atmosphere and the offerings are more upscale at the DT location. Kind of how Publix differs from Winn Dixie. Also, the DT market has fresh baked items, and home decor stuff too to help differentiate it.
Where is the "downtown" Greenville market located, in relation with the rest of that city's downtown destinations? Is it visible from the street for people visiting or driving through the downtown core? Is it within walking distance of existing retail shops, restaurants, etc. or is it as isolated as a site under the Fuller Warren? Although I'd personally prefer one powerhouse market that's centrally located and offers everything, if a second smaller make-shift market is desired, it would be better off between the TU center and the Landing, Hemming Plaza or Hogan Street under the Skyway. At least then, people visiting are exposed to existing retail shops and restaurants in the area, which is what creating and benefitting from urban synergy is all about.
Plus many people in Jax don't even know the Beaver St market exists, and even if they did, would not go there anyway because of the area's perception.
I would say this has more to do with limited to no marketing of the Beaver Street market. Its pretty much a "find-by-word-of-mouth" atmosphere. Nevertheless, compared to the location of Detroit's Eastern Market, which does pull in local residents and tourists because its heavily marketed, that section of town is Ponte Vedra.
