Business was brisk at Saturday's opening day for the North Bay Farmer's Market. Photo by Dennis Chippa.
Damp weather did not dampen the crowds from heading to a sure sign of spring and summer in North Bay, the first day of the Farmer’s Market.
A steady stream of people headed to Oak Street for a visit to the vendors.
One of the usual stops is one of the mainstays of the market, Commanda Country Gardens.
Jim Merrick says for his plant business, the market is crucial.
Early season planters were able to take advantage of Commanda Gardens offerings.
“It’s a crazy business with the growing of the plants. You sort of make about 70 to 80 per cent of your money in eight weeks. We’re always happy to see the plants blooming and everyone just loves to see all that green after seeing all that white all winter.”
The move to Oak Street has allowed the market to expand, and it has, in vendors and selection.
This year, the market will feature 44 full time vendors on Saturdays, another 20 are setting up on Wednesdays, and there are at least 10 or 15 more ready to fill in when others can’t make it.
Hours for the market are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., behind the North Bay Transit Terminal on Oak St. The Wednesday Market is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of Discovery North Bay museum.
For Aline Coote, who turns driftwood on Lake Nipissing into jewellry, exposure like this has been vital.
Aline Coote makes sure she has enough product for the demand from opening day.
“Especially with us moving on Oak Street, the volume of people that comes is tremendous. I used to remember when we were across from city hall, sure we had the volume but this is unbelievable.”
New booths this year also reflect diversity.
Booths featuring jewelry, photography, candles and furniture are on site, as well as more booths full of baking, jams, honey and more.
Heather Cote, the marketing manager for the Farmers Market, says the diversity allows for shopping throughout the spring and summer months, not just when fruit and vegetables are in season.
“There’s a small little trickle at this time of the year. But we do have potatoes, we do have the mushroom logs, we have asparagus and rhubarb. Then the potted plants that people can take home and put in their garden, like the tomatoes the pepper plants, those kinds of things.”
Cote says the real fun is the social aspect of the market.
“They’re coming to say hello and to mix and meet and mingle with people who they’ve known for a long time, or make new friends. It’s a social outing and a social event, it’s not just coming to the market. It’s a real kind of a family atmosphere to it all.”
Coote agrees, saying it’s hard to stay in a bad mood when you visit the market.
“It’s like a family reunion. Showing up today is like a family reunion. We know the faces we’re gonna see because it’s the regulars.”
The visiting and vending will now continue twice a week through the Thanksgiving Weekend.
