Main event
Council will get feedback from downtown businesses before giving go-ahead
Downtown businesses will have their say before town council makes a decision on a request to hold the Market to Main Street event in New Glasgow this summer.
The Town of New Glasgow will be seeking input from downtown businesses before it gives the OK for the New Glasgow Farmers Market to hold a Market to Main Street event in a portion of Provost Street in downtown New Glasgow.
The New Glasgow Farmers Market has requested the town allow them to close a portion of the downtown for a day in 2019 so organizers can transform it into an outdoor restaurant with food that comes from market vendors.
Kristi Russell, market manager, had organized the same event in 2016 which drew about 160 people and received positive feedback.
“To date it’s one of the best events I ever went to downtown,” Coun. Troy MacCulloch said.
But before council gives their blessing, Coun. Frank Proudfoot suggested it was best to consult businesses in the downtown area to see if they had any concerns.
While traffic would be shut down through the area at the time of the event, it would remain open to foot traffic and Geralyn MacDonald, who is director of community economic development, believes it could actually be a benefit to those businesses in the area by bringing people into the area. Many are closed during that time of day on a Saturday, but she suggested they could open for special hours.
“From the event from 2016, we didn’t receive any complaints,” she said.
Coun. Joe MacDonald, however, said he did hear from some residents that they don’t like when the downtown is closed for events such as the Johnny Miles Marathon.
Councillors ultimately decided to hold off until town staff has had a chance to send letters requesting feedback from the businesses.
“It’ll allow us to make a better decision that we’re sure of,” Proudfoot said.