By: Heidi Atter
The Regina Farmers’ Market Cooperative is planning a specialty event for Dec.7; a Holiday night market on Dec. 7. This is intended to grow their presence in the fall and winter as a shopping destination by trying new events and bringing back some others.
The executive director for the Farmers’ Market Cooperative, Nikko Snyder, said the fall markets are “something that we’re still working towards building.”
“It’ll be a licenced event, so in addition to being able to do your holiday shopping, customers can enjoy a locally produced glass of wine or cocktail,” says Snyder.
Their fall location is the same as previous years at 2065 Hamilton St. on Oct. 21.
Coming back is the “kids club,” which has free crafts every market. “People can come and have coffee and brunch and their kids can make a craft, all while they’re doing their farmers’ market shopping,” Snyder said. “We really do like to focus on the customer experience and making it a really fun event.”
Arlene Josephson-Sauer, a vendor owner of The Cake Queen, welcomes the change. “It’s nice and warm and cozy inside now this time of year.”
For families, Josephson-Sauer described it as being very accessible and good for strollers.
As for vendors she notices a bit of a change with the seasons. “Coming to December you get some vendors certainly that make things that would be wonderful Christmas gifts.”
Randy Hanson, another vendor and owner of Mix, which makes small batch granola, wishes the move didn’t have to take place. “It’s a different atmosphere in a big way. You’re outside under our 10 by 10 canopy tent with the birds singing and Mother Nature throwing some wind at us and sunshine… I miss that.”
Still, Hanson is happy to be a part of the market. “It’s a positive environment with wonderful people that come by and visit.”
Christie Westbrook has been attending the farmers’ market as a customer for years. She said she enjoys both of the markets’ locations. Westbrook said the indoor market is warm and welcoming, and “the ideal place to peruse.”
Snyder says it was important to keep the market going through the fall, “A lot of our producers, it’s their livelihood.”
“I really think that the Regina farmers’ market is a wonderful community hub,” Snyder says. “It’s just somewhere where people can come and be part of a really dynamic community.”
*First Published on Jschool.ca*
http://jschool.ca/index-php-option-com-content-view-categories-id-9/local/1771-regina-farmers-market-new-christmas-event