For its first weekend, The Market had 22 vendors, Armstrong said.
They sold everything from fresh produce, to preserves, artisanal meat products and fresh baked pastries.
Armstrong said the Downtown Market Working Group offered a lot of input to improve The Market after last year's inaugural try at the new location.
“We're a bit ahead of where we were at this time last year,” Armstrong said.
The city made changes to The Market's physical layout to make vendors more visible and accessible, and also removed some tripping hazards that existed last year.
Eric Blondin, a market vendor and owner of Les Jardins Blondin, said he was happy to see extra barriers near the parking lots this year.
He said last year some people drove through the market.
Blondin said overall he was pleased with The Market last year, and sold out of his fresh produce every weekend. This year, he said, he has planted more to meet greater demand for his vegetables.
Jerry Pronk, co-owner of C. J. Pies 'n More, and a longtime market vendor, said he was happy to see the city appeared to be advertising the market more this year than last year.
Colleen Pronk, his wife and co-owner of the bakery, said the city had lifted a ban on selling hot prepared food, such as soups, this year.
She said last year a lot of potential patrons left early to get lunch elsewhere and never came back.
Susan Collins, owner of Geo-Green Growers, based in Markstay, said her business did well last year, but would benefit with more space to sell her products – which range from fresh produce, to flowers and preserves.
“I don't like the parking lot set-up,” she said. “When you're a farmer you need space.”
The make-up of The Market vendors is expected to change as produce goes in and out of season.
There are still spaces available for vendors and entertainers this year. For more information visit www.greatersudbury.ca/market.
