Charlottetown Farmers’ Market adjusts to temporary location

Charlottetown Farmers’ Market Opens at New Location

Islanders gathered at the temporary site for the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market on Saturday. This marked the first day of operations on North River Road in the former Sporting Intentions space.

The market’s usual location suffered significant damage from a fire on Christmas Day.

Customers and vendors expressed happiness about the market’s reopening, but acknowledged some initial challenges.

Customer Reactions and Adjustments

Sarah Briggs, a regular customer, appreciated the openness of the new space. She was impressed by how quickly the market relocated.

“It feels great, makes me really happy, and I like that I can see all of the vendors again and talk to them,” she said.

However, Briggs noted some confusion regarding the entrance and parking at the new location.

Market Management’s Response

Travis Cummiskey, president of the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, mentioned they added staff to help direct drivers in the parking lot.

“It’s been pretty good since then, but it’s growing pains,” he said.

Cummiskey hopes to return to the permanent location before the end of the year.

He noted that the new site lacks full electricity options, and not all vendors have their lighting set up yet, but he expects improvements.

January is usually slow for the market, so they were uncertain about turnout after the fire.

“Starting out only with a limited number of vendors, and being at a different location, we’re happy with the turnout today,” said Cummiskey.

The landlord is working with the market to add additional electrical plugs and vents for food vendors, with hopes these will be ready by mid-February.

Vendor Experiences

Makena Tarichia, owner of Out of Africa, had to prepare her samosas at home due to the lack of vents.

“I love having my samosas done right on site, so people can have them nice and crispy, but now we have to do them from home,” she said.

Despite this, customers bought all her products, and she expressed gratitude.

Tarichia has been a vendor at the previous building for 23 years and expected it would take two or three months to find a new space for the market.

“Two weeks later and we are here, we are doing this, like, it’s like a miracle,” she said.

Feedback from Other Vendors

Darren Matheson, owner of Trout River Pottery, liked the aesthetic of the new space.

“It sort of suits the market feel, I think. And it’s only going to get better as we work out the way through fitting everybody in here,” he said.

Matheson was fortunate that his products can withstand heat and he recovered some pottery after the fire.

“My pottery goes through an intense firing situation anyway, so temperature was not really an issue to affect my work,” he said.

He added that many members lost more, including machinery and refrigeration, so there is much recovery to be done.

Summary of Key Facts