There was also a waiting list of vendors that "as soon as we have our extension of road closure, are definitely keen to come in".
"It makes it worth their while to have that extra hour of trading."
She said shopper numbers had declined over the holiday period, partly because people were on holiday and partly because people did not know the market was on.
"The weeks prior to that were quite good - they were building each time."
The market on December 20 matched the inaugural market's number of about 1200 extra shoppers.
"Our biggest hurdle at the moment is having to close too soon - just as it starts to get busy we have to pack down.
"That is quite difficult for the vendors and surrounding retailers. We really need to extend those hours to give it a good shot."
She said there was strong public feedback on produce affordability, quality and market accessibility.
The combination should be enough to change shopping patterns.
"If it becomes an easier choice it is much likely to become habit.
"We are in it for the long haul and this will definitely take time to build but so far there has been a really positive response."
There had been been "a lot of talk" between vendors about Foodstuff's denial it was not stocking Te Mata Mushrooms in Hastings supermarkets as retaliation of Te Mata Mushroom's support of the Growers Market.
The market is the brainchild of the Hastings City Business Association. Its chairman, Michael Whittaker, also owns Te Mata Mushrooms.
Hastings New World has since restocked the product.
The Growers Market originally planned to open on two blocks of Heretaunga St East but instead opened on one block due to a lack of vendors, including Farmers' Market stallholders worried it would undermine their Sunday market on the outskirts of Hastings.
The Growers Market application to council will be open to public submissions for two weeks