Cornwall Square pitches farmers’ market

Nick Seebruch
Cornwall Square pitches farmers’ market
A sign advertising for market vendors outside the old Dollar Depot spot at the Cornwall Square (Nick Seebruch/ TC Media).

CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Square is searching for vendors interested in participating in a year-round farmers’ market.

Karen Burns of the Cornwall Square said that the idea for a farmers’ market is in the preliminary planning stages and right now they are sending out feelers to gauge interest.

“At this time, we are thinking of a minimum of 10 vendors to make it feasible for us to run on a year-round basis,” she told Seaway News. “We’ve been speaking to local growers and have had one-person express interest.”

Burns explained that a farmers’ market is a new idea for Cornwall’s mall.

“Malls are changing and we have to think outside the box. We can showcase local producers that people don’t know about,” she said.

Right now, the possible location in the mall for a farmers’ market according to Burns, would be the former Dollar Depot and the adjacent store space.

Burnes said that a cost for vendors to participate in the market has not yet been determined.

“We have done a little bit of homework to see what the market will bear,” she said. “Because we are looking for 10 vendors we are looking for it to be very affordable.”

Burns went on to say that the market would emphasize local vendors. “To be a true farmers’ market, the vendors need to be 51 percent local,” she said.

Based on interest and participation, Burns hopes to have the market open a minimum of two days a week, but ideally three.

Share this article