Downtown BIA to launch night market pilot project in October

With the continued success of the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) is commencing a pilot project, the Night Market, which will begin on Oct. 8.

Executive Director of the DWBIA, Debi Croucher, said they planned to start a night market in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted their plans. However, Croucher said this year they can give it a go.

“Now that we’ve been running the market (during Covid) successfully for 18 months, we feel confident that we can do a night market as well,” said Croucher.

Croucher also explained that since the night market’s cancellation last year, many have an appetite to try one on Pelissier Street.

Croucher said there would be 40 vendors at the Night Market. However, they are limited to run at 40 per cent capacity. She said they reached the capacity limit within three days of vendor registration. There are more than 30 people on the waitlist to register as a vendor.

“The success already in terms of the vendor attendance speaks for itself,” Croucher said. “This may be something we’ll be doing on a regular basis.”

 

Katie Stokes, co-owner of Whiskeyjack Boutique, has a shop located on Maiden Lane in downtown Windsor.

“It would be great to see a night market happen more regularly in the downtown core,” said Stokes. “I love the vibe that events bring to the neighbourhood.”

Stokes and her friend Allison have been running Whiskeyjack Boutique for two years now and have participated in the farmer’s market multiple times. Stokes said they have also done similar events like the Lanspeary Night Market and the Walkerville Night Market in the past.

Some of the vendors you will see in October are Brand Dead T-shirts, Yasmeen’s shop, Rina’s Bakehouse, Whiskey Jack Boutique, What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory and many more.

Croucher said there will be a cross-section of artists and artisans at the Farmer’s Market. These local vendors sell items ranging from jewelry to baked goods to all sorts of arts and crafts, said Croucher.

Stokes said the Farmer’s Market is always well received.

“We don’t do events very often, but when we do, it’s always a great sense of community,” said Stokes.

First-time Farmer’s Market vendors, friends Melissa and April Brooks have had their business, Cheesecake Babes, for over a year now and have done similar events to the Downtown Farmer’s Market.

“We’ve done quite a few events since May,” said Brooks. “We just did one last weekend. It was a Riverside Optimist Club event.”

Even though Cheesecake Babes will not be at the Night Market on October 8, they are making their debut at the weekend Farmer’s Market on October 9, said Brooks. However, the duo said they would love to have the opportunity to participate in the Night Market.

“Even when we do or go to events, you don’t really see cheesecake. Other bakeries are mainly cookies, banana bread, pies, and tarts, so this is a lot different,” Brooks said.

Brooks said they also let their character shine. The duo believes their personalities are also what attracts customers to their business and their events. She also said they like to hear when people will come for them at outdoor events. She said it makes them feel like they are a part of something.

“We’re funny, we’re goofy, we’re down to earth, and we bring stuff for the kids,” said Brooks. “I feel we’re a different type of vendor, we’re more fun, and we bring something new,” Brooks said.

They get to see many of the same customers whenever they do events like these, said Brooks.

“They bring along some friends and some family, and you get to see new and old faces, and they just continue to come out,” Brooks said.

Mark your calendars for October 8, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. for the debut of the Night Market in Downtown Windsor. For more information about the event, go to www.downtownwindsor.ca or the DWBIA’s Instagram @downtownwindsor.