Everett’s year-round farmers market opens at last

It took longer than expected, but a year-round farmers market has taken root in downtown Everett. Farms & Market celebrated its grand opening Thursday. It will fill more than 7,000 square feet and serve as the anchor tenant in the Grand Avenue Marketplace at 2900 Grand Ave. The developer, The Carlin Company, has opened other “artisan food markets,” which aim to connect communities directly to small-scale farmers. Its similar marketplaces can be found in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Northern California. The Everett market includes a deli and kitchen. Grand Avenue Marketplace and Apartments was originally called Potala Place when it was being developed by Lobsang Dargey. He defrauded investors and misused tens of millions of dollars. He was sentenced to four years in prison in August.