The potential sale of Copia’s property downtown may cause Napa’s Farmers Market to move from its longtime home on First Street.

Last week, Copia officials said they are seeking a buyer for the financially-troubled center’s 12-acre campus. The wine and food cultural center plans to downsize in Napa and open a new facility in San Francisco designed to capture a larger tourist market, said CEO Garry McGuire.

Joan Taramasso, organizer of the farmers market, said she seriously doubts the market will be at Copia next year.

“We’re exploring other options,” added Thalassa Skinner, acting Farmers Market board president.

But a new home for the twice-a-week seasonal event could be found in Copia’s own backyard — the Wine Train parking lot.

The Wine Train recently approached the Farmers Market board about a switch. Melody Hilton, with the Wine Train, said she would love to have the Farmers Market on the lot near Soscol Avenue and McKinstry Street.

“We’re in preliminary discussions,” she said. “We have the space for it. It keeps it in the neighborhood. Our building would facilitate that type of local activity. We sound like good partners.”

Besides the likely sale of Copia’s property, the market faces other challenges, including logistical issues and a lawsuit filed by an injured shopper.

Copia hasn’t embraced the twice-a-week seasonal event, Skinner said. Last year, the event was moved from one parking lot to another mid-season, causing confusion for shoppers.

“We never had a main contact at Copia to work with,” Skinner said. “We want our sponsor to want us and to be able to stay there for many years.”

Copia’s south lot is an ideal location with its ample parking and shady trees, she noted.

“It would be great to talk to (new owners) about staying put,” she said.

Copia officials did not respond to inquiries about the future of a market at Copia. However, McGuire said last week that Copia was cutting ties to events on the grounds that are sponsored by other organizations.

The lawsuit against the farmers market stems from an incident on June 30, 2007. A woman claims she fell and hit her head while attending the farmers market in Copia’s south parking lot that day.

According to the complaint, filed in May 2008, the shopper also seeks damages from Copia for her injuries.

Copia, in turn, filed a lawsuit against Farmers Market organizer Common Greens, owned by Taramasso.

Moving plans

Everyone has different ideas about where the farmers market should be, said Toponia Miller, a member of the farmers market location committee.

“This is going to be a difficult decision,” she said. “We are trying to figure out how we want to define the market going forward and the location is going to be a big part of it.”

Miller said she would like to see a spot that’s more integrated into the community.

“We want to improve the market, help it thrive and become a better market,” she said.

The nearby Westin Verasa resort would welcome a Wine Train-based market, said General Manager Don Shindle.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s a good event for the locals and good for our visitors to give them an opportunity to walk across the street and stroll through the market. It’d be even more convenient if it was right across the street.”

Oxbow developer Steve Carlin said the Oxbow Public Market could host the Farmers Market.

“If, for any reason, the Farmers Market needs or wants to move from (the) Copia lot I have offered our parking lots for their use,” he said. “I’d like to have them in and around our building. I think it’s a natural connection.”