Is Eli Zabar Leaving?

The Peconic Land Trust has issued a request for proposals to lease the Amagansett Farmers Market on Main Street in that hamlet. The lease, most recently held by Eli Zabar, the New York-based owner of restaurants and grocery and specialty food stores, has expired.

The longtime landmark was opened in 1954 by Pat Struk. In 2008, the land trust, a nonprofit organization that works to conserve working farms and natural land, announced an agreement under which it would lease the property from Margaret de Cuevas, who had purchased it from Ms. Struk for $5.5 million. At that time, the Town of East Hampton purchased development rights on 7.56 acres of the 9.33-acre property. Amber Waves Farm, a not-for-profit educational farm that serves farmers markets, restaurants, and a 150-member Community Supported Agriculture membership, occupies that land.

Mr. Zabar had been the lessee since the land trust’s 2008 agreement with Ms. de Cuevas. His first lease expired in November 2011. “His [current] lease expired at the end of the year,” Pam Greene, vice president of the trust, said last week. “He knows we’ve put out proposals. I don’t know yet whether he is reapplying or not.” In order to lease the market again, she said, “He would have to reapply like everyone else.” A call to the corporate office of Eli Zabar seeking comment was not returned.

Calling the market “an important community asset,” John v.H. Halsey, president of the Peconic Land Trust, said his group was “committed to seeing the property continue as a market that serves the community by providing access to local produce and products. During his six years at the market, Eli Zabar actively reached out to our local farmers and included seasonal local produce as part of the markets’ offerings. Going forward, our goal is to continue that opportunity for our local farmers and the community.”

Responses to the request for proposals are due by Tuesday.