Many great endeavours, big or small, begin around a table. Those with hopes, dreams and goals gather to formulate a plan, then head out into the world armed with persistence and determination.
Many begin this way, and that includes the Sudbury Winter Market, a new way for Sudburians to keep up their love of local, even as the seasons change.
“It started with an idea from a few entrepreneurs with a common interest to continue with our retail sales over the winter months,” said Erin Rowe, one of the founders of the Sudbury Winter Market.
“We met at the Laughing Buddha, I believe it was Robin from Old Soul Soap Company, Lina and Josh from Dare2Dream (Alpaca Farm and Sandy Loam Produce), Peggy from Three Forks Farm, and Steph and I from Smart Greens Sudbury. We brainstormed many great ideas and then ran with it. Each person had a role and then we co-ordinated from there.”
One founder was tasked with sourcing a site, finding a place that suited many different types of vendors and products, with lots of parking and most importantly, none of the whipping winter winds that are inevitably headed this way.
Southridge Mall proved to be the perfect place.
“The Southridge Mall was very open and supportive of the idea from the start,” said Rowe. “Ryan (Bouchard, Southridge Mall manager) showed us a beautiful storefront that was available and it felt like a good fit.”
They also decided to start a bit slow, and get the feel of the desire and demand for a winter market, a chance for all of the local makers and growers to keep sharing offering their amazing wares well into the next season. “We wanted to try it out: Is it worth the work it takes to set it up? Is it worth the extra time in our already very busy schedules,” said Rowe, laughing.
For now, taking it slow is taking the shape of eight Saturdays, running at the Southridge Mall throughout November and December, starting on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
It will be a chance for you to continue to find the great local products you love, all in one place. Supporting local businesses should not just be a summer focus — shopping local is always important, said Rowe.
“I want to know where my food comes from, I want to meet the person who bakes my cookies and bread,” she said. “Shopping local creates really special relationships between vendor and customer - I've met some amazing and very interesting people in front of my table.”
With these first steps taken, it was time for the group to begin to publicize their endeavours – to search for additional vendors and let Sudburians know about the Sudbury Winter Market. The response?
“The interest has been overwhelming, to say the least,” said Rowe. “When the call went out, the buzz just ballooned from there.
“We've been inundated with applications and questions. It is hard to keep up with it all, but we are managing and we are feeling so positive because of this great response from vendors and future customers.”
In store for anyone who heads to the market will be a selection of “artists, farmers - vegetables, meat, honey, maple syrup - food producers, jewelry, textiles, home decor, bath and body, baked goods,” she said.
“There will be plenty to choose from.”
The Sudbury Winter Market’s opening weeks will be perfect for anyone looking to add something unique or one-of-a-kind to their holiday shopping, but your attendance will also act as a vote – a vote to keep the market going.
“We are really looking forward to seeing where this project goes and we are hopeful that people will continue to share the word in a positive way,” said Rowe. “I hope it's a success. If it is, we will revisit the option of extending it for additional months, but that choice is all up in the air right now.”
You can find more information on becoming a vendor, as well as more about what’s on offer at the Sudbury Winter Market by visiting their Facebook page @sudburywintermarket or by emailing [email protected].
By the way, this weekend is the last for the outdoor farmers' market in Sudbury. The Market operates this Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CP/Via Rail Station on Elgin Street.
Jenny Lamothe is a freelance writer, proof-reader and editor in Greater Sudbury. Contact her through her website, JennytheWriter.wordpress.com.
