The owner of the iconic Karcher Ranch Market on Highway 55 in Nampa has decided to stay open -– at least for another seven days.
Don Barnhill had originally planned to close the beloved farmer’s market today, but has now decided to stay open until July 7th.
“I made an agreement with the Idaho Food Bank to donate whatever food items are left,” he said.
Barnhill blames the recent Highway 55 road construction project for the closing.
“I’m done. I’ve had enough,” he told us. “I’m getting rid of all my assets in Canyon County, and will be concentrating on running my Owyhee County cattle ranch.”
Idaho Transportation Department officials said improvements along that stretch of Highway 55 were made last year, after studies showed it was a high-traffic/high-crash location.
But Barnhill said the highway construction “ruined my business.” He feels officials should have been willing to compromise on a new traffic pattern -– one that would have not adversely impacted his clientele, he said. He pointed out that a median barrier erected during the road work made it difficult for customers to get to his market.
The Karcher Ranch Market has been open some 42 years.
