REVITALIZING THE MARKET

The city started three trial projects this year in an effort to reverse the exodus of farmers from the outdoor stalls in the By Ward Market:

THURSDAY- NIGHT SHOPPING

Vendors were encouraged to keep their stalls open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, in response to residents’ complaints that most were closed by the time they come home from work. Vendors who participated saw their rents halved on those days. The city, according to RideauVanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury, has yet to analyze the data and talk to vendors and shoppers to gauge its success, although some vendors suggest that the program was not widely adopted, nor successful with those who did.

THE DEMO STAND

The city also opened a stand where farmers and area chefs were invited to present cooking demonstrations, hopefully boosting both produce sales and restaurant visits.

UNIQUE PRODUCE

A Savour Ottawa stall was opened, featuring many locally sourced items rarely found at other market stalls, including eggs, pies, honey, cider, sheep’s milk products, cranberries and cheeses, typically from organic producers too small to maintain stands of their own.

THE CONSULTANTS

The city has also hired Projects for Public Spaces, a New York-based non-profit planning, design and education organization dedicated to creating public spaces that strengthen communities. Among the public markets the group has worked with are Halifax’s Seaport Farmers Market, New York’s Essex Street Market, Granville Island Market in Vancouver, and Marché Jean-Talon in Montreal. The group, says Fleury, will review the Market and bring suggestions for the design of its public spaces, framing how it might look in preparation for 2017.