PR Team For Farmers Leaving Field

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Sydney Weisman and David Hamlin are ready to reap their bounty after representing the Farmers Market for nearly 25 years.

The husband and wife duo, principals of Weisman Hamlin Public Relations, will retire at the end of the year, shutting down their business and ending a nearly quarter-century relationship with the Fairfax District landmark.

“It’s such an extraordinary place and it exists in a town where nothing lasts forever and everything new is what’s important, but it just endures,” said Hamlin, 69.

Weisman Hamlin worked with the Gilmore family, now fifth-generation owners of the Farmers Market, over the course of some dramatic changes to their property.

The family business, A.F. Gilmore Co., owns the land beneath the Grove retail complex, and the prospect of that development sent some Farmers Market loyalists into a frenzy.

Hamlin and Weisman, 72, strategically pitched headlines such as “Farmers Market will anchor a new development” and “Farmers Market changes constantly as it remains the same.”

Customers felt a sense of ownership toward the market, said Hamlin. “They want to know what’s happening.”

Mark Panatier, vice president of marketing at A.F. Gilmore, said the relationship has been a productive one.

“They have served as a trusted member of our communications team and their counsel will be missed,” he said.

There were plenty of proud moments for Weisman and Hamlin and a fair share of challenges.

“We took them through their 60th anniversary, development of the Grove, we were part of the award-winning team for their 75th and now, in their 80th year, we’re bidding adieu,” Weisman said.

– Emily Hertlein

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