The Innisfil Farmers’ Market has been at its Innisfil Recreation Complex location for ten years. It has developed a loyal and devoted following, so it’s no wonder the opening day on Thursday was a tremendous success.
Shoppers know the location, the hours and the quality of local vendors, and have come to expect the market to be there during the summer months, noted market manager Jaime Grant.
But Grant was a little nervous about launching a second Innisfil Farmers’ Market, at a new location: the Tanger Outlet Mall, near Cookstown.
On Friday, for the very first time, many of the key vendors from the Innisfil Farmers’ Market set up their tents and tables near Entrance 4 of the Tanger Outlet Mall, in view of Highway 400 and close to the exit onto Hwy. 89.
No-one was quite sure what to expect, in terms of customer support.
Business was steady but “not as busy” as the Thursday market, said Grant – although a number of long-time market customers came out to the new venue, to check it out. “There were a lot of familiar faces,” she said.
She suggesed that it's going to take an awareness campaign and education, before people are as familiar with the Friday afternoon market at the Tanger Outlet Mall as they are with Thursday's market, but she’s convinced that the popularity will grow - especially with cottagers, heading north for the weekend.
Lakeview Gardens garden centre didn’t sell out as it did on Thursday, but sales were brisk, said Rob Radcliffe - and as the end of the day approached, the booth had only a limited supply of fresh produce, including Barrie Hill Farms’ strawberries and asparagus.
“It’s not bad,” and certainly a better option than an online marketplace, he said.
“It’s not bad, considering it’s the first day of a new market,” agreed Tom Bouhs, of Rosie’s Meat Pies.
Just like the Thursday market, the Farmers’ Market at Tanger Outlet Mall offered an opportunity to chat with vendors and socialize, although shoppers were asked to social distance and use the hand-sanitizer provided, taking precautions against COVID-19.
And just as on Thursday, there were plenty of smiling faces.
The Innisfil Farmers Market sets up at the Innisfil Recreation Complex from 1 to 6 p.m. every Thursday, and at the Tanger Outlet Mall on Hwy 89 near Cookstown from 1 to 6 every Friday.