NATCHEZ — The Natchez Farmers Market closed its doors at the end of 2016, but Alcorn State University officials say they hope to reopen the market in a new location.

The farmers market was operated by ASU’s Extension Program at 199 St. Catherine St.

The building is now empty, but ASU Extension Program Administrative Assistant Amanda O’Quinn said Alcorn administrators will be meeting this week about reopening the market in a different location.

“The issue is really the space,” O’Quinn said, adding that more information about the closure and possible reopening would be available after administrators meet this week.

The market employed two people, and O’Quinn said Alcorn would be reevaluating job descriptions and deciding how best to move forward.

The farmers market was located on St. Catherine Street in recent year, but was also previously located in the area where St. Mary Basilica’s Family Life Center is now located.

During former Mayor Butch Brown’s administration, the City of Natchez and ASU explored relocating the farmers market to the bluff as part of the renovation of the historic railroad depot on Broadway Street, but those plans never came to fruition.

In December when supporters and patrons got word the market could be closing, they rallied to keep it open, creating an online petition that garnered 100 signatures.