SRDC NEWS
- May 11, 2012
- Impact Expo Provides Opportunity for Students
- Nearly 100 high school students from Three Oaks and Kensington got hands-on... Read More
- Apr 24, 2012
- Holland College ramps up recruiting efforts for Summerside IT training
- Holland College hopes to lure students to its new Prince County campus with... Read More
- Feb 25, 2012
- New link-way gives new life to the Holman Centre
- It used to be part of Summerside’s downtown street system in the early 1900... Read More
- Feb 21, 2012
- Holland College offers new e-health programs
- Governments invest in skills development in Prince Edward Island through th... Read More
News ARCHIVES
- Aug 12, 2008
- City's New Market Attracts Patrons
The Spring Street
Farmers' Market Co-operative
performed to capacity during its
recent grand opening event.
With several successful Saturday
morning openings already tallied, the
future of the market is promising.
If patron numbers are the only gauge,
the market has been a resounding
success, but the vendor attractions
have been growing steadily as well.
Suppliers of fresh produce and meats
are complemented by on-site specialtyfood
options, craft creators and more.
Kids can occupy themselves at the
play station, friends can sit in the
café to catch up on their week, and
one might even be tempted to visit just
to listen to a musical busker for a
tune or two.
Michelle Nash, operator of Breakfast
and Beyond, is a first-time operator
serving up hot, fresh pork sausage-ona-
bun, southern barbecue sandwiches
and smoothies. She also sells pot pies
and free-range chickens raised on her
hobby farm.
"It has been going very well. The
numbers are growing each week, and
the people are encouraging. The
market is going at least until
Christmas, and picking up again in
spring, but hopefully we can get it all
year round."
Irene Menzies and her daughter,
Natalie, have been pleased with the
market and customers' response to
their selection of homemade cushions,
placemats, tote bags, baby items and
other fabric crafts.
"I think it's going to be great. I think
it is what Summerside really needs. It
is an outlet (for small vendors) and it
is a gathering place for the
community."
Manager Gerry Reichheld is
enthusiastic about the prospects for
the market, especially after a history
of transient markets in the region.
"I think it is wonderful. It's right here
on the waterfront, lots of parking,
easily convenient for both vendors
and consumers; it's hard to imagine a
better spot than this," he said.
"They've done a lot of work to get it
to this point. It looks like a place
where you can do business, and we
are doing a roaring business," he said.
Summerside Regional Development
Corporation (SRDC) general manager
Arnold Croken has been a strong
supporter of the market concept.
"The plans for the Holman Building
are centred around creating a centre
of activity, to bring some life to the
downtown core," he said.
"We're focusing on innovative
technology companies, and that
sector, to attract to this building, and
we felt that the farmers' market would
be a good fit for those kinds of
companies," which show
demographics of employees who
would be oriented to farmers' market
consumables, Croken explained.
"It was a good blend in the building
for what we are trying to do. It's a bit
of a historical feeling when you are in
there, with the bricks and the mortar,
and it's a public place where people
can gather and chat," he said.
City councillor Norma McColeman
praised market staff, vendors and
clients on giving the market such a
strong start, and promised continued
city support as it is needed.
She identified the city's role as a
facilitator for the initiative, but
reminded the patrons and vendors that
they are the heart of the market and
would ultimately determine its
strength.
Gerard Greenan, minister of
education, who is legislative member
for the Summmerside constituency
and spokesperson for the province
which is the majority partner in the
SRDC, offered a positive outlook for
the future of the market.
"It's a great venue. We want people to
'Buy P.E.I.,' and we are doing what
we can - through Fisheries,
Agriculture, Community and Cultural
Affairs - to promote local Island
businesses and initiatives such as
this," he said.
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