Business owner Scotty MacNeil is seeking participants for a farmers' market in Lucerne. Courtesy photo.

LUCERNE – A Northshore businessman is planning to set up a farmers' market and fair, and is looking for interested vendors and community members.

Scotty MacNeil owns a restaurant at Second Avenue. and Highway 20 across from the lake, which formerly was the site of his Scotty's Cafe.

In 2003, MacNeil purchased the site, which was the town's old lumber yard. He also purchased the older single story home next door and took it down to the studs for a complete remodel in the redevelopment agency's designated Swiss-Bavarian architectural theme.

Real century-old recycled railroad bridge timbers and barn wood were used to achieve as authentic an aesthetic as possible, MacNeil reported.

The old lumberyard grounds were transformed into a lovely lawned al fresco atmosphere complete with rock waterfall to add further ambience.

After a challenging go at trying to run a restaurant and coffee house, MacNeil said he decided he wasn't up for the long hours and stress of running the restaurant, and decided to lease it out to someone else and keep the property.

MacNeil is now looking for a tenant, and is hoping either a restaurant or winery take the place over as a wine-tasting and catering facility.

In the meantime, he and his San Francisco business partner, Alan Chu, have decided to start using the outdoor and indoor spaces as a local farmers' market and fair for vendors of all kinds, from arts and crafts, to antiques, to organic and other home grown veggies, and more. Acoustic musicians also are encouraged to attend to add to the festivities.

MacNeil said the farmers' market would complement the redevelopment agency’s great plans for expanded park facilities across the street. The county has put together the last piece of their redevelopment puzzle in this focus area, the infamous “Blue Monster,” which MacNeil said he hopes will be coming down sooner than later, so the fishing pier and park extension can be completed.

Those interested in participating as a vendor in the farmers' market are encouraged to either call MacNeil at 349-7790, e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit his Web site, www.scottysolditt.com.

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