View Single Post
  #76  
Old Posted Apr 20, 2006, 2:37 PM
Blitz's Avatar
Blitz Blitz is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Posts: 4,519
Market planned for core

By Dave Hall
The Windsor Star
Apr. 20, 2006

After an absence of almost 10 years, Windsor may again have a downtown farmers market.
Corey Versnel, chairman of the Essex County Associated Growers, said a market in the former University Avenue West armouries building is “an idea with a lot of potential,” providing the produce is locally grown.

The proposed seasonal market is a business venture of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, which has arranged to rent space in the city-owned armouries Fridays and Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. from the end of May until the Labour Day weekend.
Judith Veresuk, executive director of the DWBIA, said the proposed market “is in response to suggestions and feedback from people across the community who have said they would like to see a farmers market downtown again.”
But Jan Wilson, executive director of leisure and recreation services for the city, said there has yet to be final approval of the market, so making an announcement is “a little premature.”
The former downtown city market, adjacent to Casino Windsor, closed in 1997 and is now the site of a $400-million casino, hotel and concert venue expansion.

Market Square on Walker Road at Ottawa Street replaced the former downtown market.
“I don’t really think it will draw much vendor business from the existing market at Market Square because it’s only open two days a week and most of the Market Square vendors have established customers on a sixday basis,” said Versnel. “I could see someone operating a second stand at the new market but again, you’d need the staff.”
Veresuk said the DWBIA is being asked to pay $19,200 for 32 market days in the armouries, a cost which will be shared by the 17 to 20 vendors expected to set up stalls once the market opens.
Veresuk said city officials have said they may offer a reduced rent because “we’re taking 32 days off their plate and, if that’s the case, we’ll pass the savings on to our vendors in the form of lower rates.
“This isn’t a money-making venture,” said Veresuk. “We’re attempting to bring some foot traffic back into the core and it’s an idea that has been considered for quite a while.”

Vendors will be limited to those selling fruit, vegetables, baked goods and flowers. “We can’t accommodate meat and cheese vendors because of refrigeration issues,” said Veresuk.
The city has made the armouries available for public rentals since it assumed ownership from the federal government while it considers more permanent uses for the 104-year-old building.
Versnel said the concept would only work if area farmers have the workers and equipment available during a busy summer.
“And one of the problems you occasionally run into at markets is the sale of out-of-country produce and to me, the whole point of a farmer’s market is to sell local, fresh produce,” said Versnel. “If that happens, there’s no reason why it won’t work.”
Market Square management couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.
Reply With Quote