#38: The magical power of Pybus Public Market in building community

My guests this week are Kristin Wright Lodge and Katie Pauly of the Pybus Market Charitable Foundation board. We spoke about the magical way that Pybus Public Market has brought the Wenatchee Valley together and about the exciting plans to remodel the event center annex as a way of better serving the community. Many people in our valley are under the mistaken impression that Pybus belongs to Mike and JoAnn Walker because they were the financial and strategic leaders behind the development of Pybus.  But in reality, the market belongs to all of us in the community. Pybus Market Charitable Foundation owns the property and all profits are plowed back into the community asset. It is governed by a board of 21 community members.  The renovation of the market’s event space is beginning. The $1.2 million project will improve the heating and air condition, provide greater access and visibility to the Columbia River and riverfront trail, and another meeting room will be developed to better serve our valley.   To fund this, the market is raising $500,000 from community members who believe in its mission and value. What a wonderful opportunity for all of us to help build our community.