Fresh location for struggling market

The Downtown Farmer’s Market is on the move again.

For the third time in five years the market, operated by the Downtown Residents Association will uproot its operation to change location. The new location on Pelissier Street between University Avenue and Wyandotte Street East comes with renewed optimism for the downtown core.

Although operating successfully for the past three years from the Charles Clark Square location, Ward 3 councillor Rino Bortolin suggests a move might benefit the downtown core. Bortolin said Charles Clark Square is a little too far from the business district to have much of an effect on businesses downtown.

“We want the amount of people that come down to the market exposed to the business district and we want those people walking the streets of the business district,” said Bortolin. Putting the feet on the ground on Pelissier Street has a different impact than having them come to Charles Clark Square.”

The DRA has their own reasons for wanting the market moved. Mike Holdsworth, the president of the DRA said the construction of the new city hall could have impacted their ability to operate out of the square. In the past, the DRA has approached council to have fees reduced for the use of the square because they were not making money. By moving, the market also stands to gain some financial stability.

“Financially, we have a sustainability issue in terms of going forward in sponsorships and the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association has come forward and they’ve closed that gap for us,” said Holdsworth. “The DWBIA is going to pick up the charges for closing the streets and marketing so that will cost us less in the long run.”

Moving the market could incur costs of up to $30,000, a tab the DWBIA will be picking up as the sponsor of the market.

In the report before council the city’s Special Events Resource Team noted many concerns that had to be cleared before they would approve the relocation. One of the issues was in relation to emergency services access to Pelissier. The market has agreed to only take up one lane plus the sidewalk, allowing for the safe passage of emergency vehicles when needed. An issue with Transit Windsor using Pelissier Street as an alternate route when Ouellette Avenue is closed was also remedied before the council meeting.

Business owners are looking forward to having the market outside their door. Some plan to change their hours in order to accommodate the farmers market. Café March 21 is located on Pelissier Street and offers fresh baked goods and coffee.

“It will help the whole street and will also bring more people to downtown and be more active so it will definitely help my business too,” said Henry Kim, owner of Café March 21.

Kim said he will be offering special hours to meet the needs of the market in hopes of bringing more people into his business.

The market season starts Saturday, May 28, and will close Pelissier Street from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.. Local fruit, meat and crafts as well as other commodities will be offered until the middle of October.