Malibu's popular farmers market, a regular destination for celebrities, has been ordered to immediately vacate its location at Legacy Park due to ongoing public safety and operational issues. City officials stated that the park was never designed or approved for the market's operations and has led to parking shortages, blocked access for nearby businesses, and permit violations.
"This is not about shutting down a farmers market that our community values," City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement. "We have worked to make the current arrangement work, but we also have a responsibility to protect public safety and ensure City requirements are applied fairly."
The market, which previously operated at the Los Angeles County Library's parking lot on Civic Center Way, moved to Legacy Park and became a draw for high-profile residents. Celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Pierce Brosnan, Cindy Crawford, Hailey Bieber, and Betsey Johnson have frequented the market over the years.
City officials explained that Legacy Park cannot safely accommodate the increased traffic and crowds, particularly on weekends. Vendor booths occupy approximately 40% of the Civic Center's public parking, hindering access for local business customers and visitors.
The City has offered a temporary location for the market just outside City Hall while the county reviews the market's permanent license. Some vendors and community members, including designer Betsey Johnson, had previously advocated for the market to remain at Legacy Park, with Johnson writing in a letter to The Malibu Times that the location "has found its true home."