Vendors are divided about the new home of the Prince George Farmers' Market.
The market has signed a five-year lease to operate out of a building on Sixth Avenue, behind the Keg, beginning this fall. The move was necessitated by financial considerations and while some vendors are looking forward to setting up shop in the new location, others are wary about the neighbourhood and the age of the facility.
Market president Nancie Krushelnicki said the board took a look at a number of options and settled on what they consider the best location. The new venue will allow them to host the indoor and outdoor markets out of the same site and keeps the market downtown.
"It's still in a good central location, there's lots of very positive businesses around," she said. "We think in terms of the growth of the city and proposed changes for that area it will fit good with us as well."
One longtime baked goods vendor, who asked that her name not be used, is opposed to the move.
"I'm not impressed," she said. "I don't feel like it's a good, family place."
She cited the age and condition of the building as well as the transient population in the neighbourhood as reasons she thinks the board of directors made a mistake. A vendor for more than two decades, she doesn't feel like she was adequately consulted about the move.
"We feel there were other places in the city that should have been considered, but weren't," she said, adding she wished the board had picked a place that would have made the city proud.
Krushelnicki admits that some vendors aren't happy with the new spot and that the board is working to address those concerns.
"With change there are challenges, and so it's just a matter of managing the challenges to make sure peoples' voices are heard and that we try to accommodate all the different needs that there are," she said.
Some vendors are more optimistic about the move.
Gayle McCue, who has been selling soap, air fresheners and other products at her Nature Lovin' Hippy booth, sees positives in the new spot.
"I'm excited for the move, I think it will be a lot of fun," she said, noting the market will be putting a lot of work into the building to get it ready.
In speaking to some of her fellow vendors, McCue said there have been mixed feelings -- some love the new spot, while others aren't nearly as positive. She's hoping the differences of opinion don't fracture the group.
"I hope we can all stick together and make the best of it," she said.
The market currently has about 85 total vendors, although many are seasonal. This Saturday Krushelnicki expects 70 different businesses on the lot. She said this summer has been particularly busy thanks to the great weather as well as an increase in the number of people selling fresh produce.
There's space in the new indoor facility for about 28 vendors and Krushelnicki expects to have a full house. She said a core of vendors will be there every week, but a few spots will be set aside for vendors who come through on a rotational basis.
She said they would have preferred an even larger venue, but they weren't able to locate one at the right price.
The market will continue at its current outdoor location at the Prince George Courthouse until Oct. 13. The first indoor market at the new spot is Oct. 20 and beginning in May the outdoor market will be held in the parking lot of the new building.
