After weeks of preliminary discussion, Ringgold City Council unanimously approved a partnership with the Chattanooga Market to help implement a weekly farmer’s market in downtown Ringgold near the Catoosa County Courthouse.

“It’s something that we’ve been discussing for awhile now,” said Daniel Shepherd, the city’s marketing and DDA coordinator. “The Chattanooga Market is very successful, and we’re really excited about creating a similar location in the middle of our downtown.”

The market in Ringgold is expected to he held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and would include closing down Maple and Jail streets that surround the courthouse, with an opening tentatively scheduled for sometime in May.

“The plan has been to have the market up and running by early summer,” Shepherd said. “It would be great to have it ready before the big 1890s Day Jamboree over Memorial Day weekend, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Initial discussions for a farmer’s market in Ringgold began as part of the city and DDA’s efforts to create more events and revenue in the downtown area.

“Now more than ever, we are trying to establish events and get more people involved in our historic downtown area,” Shepherd said. “Hopefully, establishing this market will create some excitement and entice more people to visit the city.”

The market is expected to offer fresh produce and other locally grown products.