THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Country Market is a “victim of its own success,” says market manager Annet Maurer.
The popular artisan-style shopping market has become a fashionable spot to purchase goods from local vendors. However, the Dove Building on the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Grounds which houses the market has drawbacks that are causing problems to vendors and customers.
“Every Saturday we struggle with how many people come through,” Maurer said. “We really love that people are supporting local but it gets so crowded.”
The Country Market signed a five-year lease last year with the CLE. Although Maurer maintains that the CLE has been extremely helpful, the logistical issues have caused issues that are making an alternate site seem more and more attractive.
One of the prevailing issues: the facility has next to no room.
“We always have more people interested to be here than we have space,” said Maurer who is turning down vendors on a weekly basis.
Even some of the established vendors are feeling the pinch.
“Some companies are growing. They want more booth space, they have new product lines… and I don’t have room for them.”
Mark Jantunen, owner of Whitefish Valley Vegetables, says his difficulties come in the fall months.
“We have a very strong market,” he said. “The big problem we have as outdoor seasonal vendors is when we want to move inside. We can’t move in for some of those critical busy months in the late fall because there's no room.”
“This market is fundamental to our business... it’s that type of growth potential that we really need to have our facilities keep up with the demand from the public.”
Jamie Nichols, a roastmaster from Rose n Crantz Roasting Co., says the crammed nature adds to the atmosphere, but there are some major problem with the facility itself.
“We have a vibrant arts scene upstairs and that’s inaccessible to people who can’t get up the stairs,” he said. “The facilities need some work, there’s some infrastructure problems and it’s a heritage building so it’s hard for the market to build that up.”
Jantunen said a larger market would allow his company to diversify and focus on core strengths.
“More room just gives us more options for more people.”
Maurer says a new facility wouldn’t be within the cards for another two-to-five years.
“We really have to have an idea of what we need,” she said. “We love that Thunder Bay loves to support us, but we need to do something so that it’s a better location for everyone.”
