By Zach Dayler
Winter is at our doorstep! With it, comes the beautiful joy of the holidays, the excitement of the first “real” snow, the toasting to memories made, and the drafting of naughty or nice lists. This year, Ottawa Markets would like to invite you to give a piece of where you live this holiday season. Our small neighbourhood businesses need your support! As we are coming to the time of giving, let’s, as a community, commit to buying local, but don’t just gift, take a minute to write a card and explain your local purchase, and why you LOVE your neighbourhood. In a year when we are making every effort to be apart, let’s make every effort to become better together.
Ottawa Markets is going help! We are very excited to let you know that our holiday tree vendors and wreath makers will be returning to ByWard and Parkdale markets starting in the middle of November. You can find them along York Street and ByWard Market Square. Remember, wear a mask, keep distant, and plan to have a warm drink!
We are also excited to announce a crafter and artisan Holiday Pop-Up opening in the Market Building (55 ByWard Market) starting November 28, 2020, and running to December 24, 2020. Be sure to mark your calendar as this will be a great stop to check off some names, and discover some new local favourites! We will be welcoming some new vendors and have some crowd favourites we think you are going to enjoy!
Our attention is not just on the holidays, but on next season. Through our community consultation, we ran this past summer, it was evident how important the market programs are to residents of not just Ottawa, but Gatineau too. We confirmed that the markets are essential to the success of bricks and mortar business, as most visitors often spend upwards of 2 hours shopping around the neighbourhood. We also heard many residents feel the market offerings have been in decline over the past number of years. We take this input seriously and are endeavouring to make the changes required to build on the rich history of the ByWard precinct, with the motivation and intention to contribute positively to the next chapter.
Ottawa Markets is entering a critical phase of our work. We have submitted our new operational procedure for the operations of the outdoor market program to the City. These procedures include implementing a “Farmers First Policy” and enhancing access to quality Canadian goods and fair traded products. It also aims to create opportunities for new artisans or first-time farmers to come out and build their businesses. Realistically, the reignition of our market program won’t happen overnight, but we intend to begin this growth with the start of a Saturday Producer Only Market in 2021! Ottawa Markets will still be a home to vending seven days a week but will be taking steps to curate a dynamic and quality public market experience that speaks to residents and community members while enticing the curiosity of regional visitors and eventually those from afar.