Markets Mingle For The Moment
(Shopping outside and indoors Saturday at the Farmers Markets in Prince George. 250 News photos)
Prince George, B.C. – It was a tad busier than usual on 6th Avenue below George Street on Saturday.
The process of selecting a jury for the Cory Legebokoff murder trial prompted officials to close the area outside the courthouse at 3rd and George, so the vendors at the outdoor Farmer’s Market set up their booths over on 6th.
Vendor stands lined both side of the street and were set up parallel to the Indoor Market building behind The Keg as well. More than one vendor was overheard mentioning to a customer that “oh, it’s only for this weekend anyway.”
People who attended seemed fine with the convenience of having everything in one location.
The Legebokoff trial could start on Monday and run 6 to 8 months. It is not known if there would be possible sittings on Saturdays but if so, that could lead to the displacement of the Outdoor Farmer’s Market once again.
Comments
Maybe this should be considered permanent. What’s wrong with it all being in one place?
Prince George is spread out, isn’t it? The farmers are just following tradition.
I like the market all together much better. It was an way better having everything in one place. Please keep it this way.
True, it was better when it was together but today’s location was not as good as when both indoor and outdoor were at the Courthouse. The silver lining to the separation, however, is that there is now much more foot traffic on George St. on a Saturday morning than ever before.
Keep it in this location!!!! It’s best for everyone involved.
Every businessâs greatest assets are its customers, because without customers there is no business. The way we treat our customers will ultimately play out in the way we retain business. By maintaining happy customers we are not only able to bring new business but we will also increase the business that comes from word of mouth. Everyone should focus on delivering additional value to customers and stop focusing on making money off the customers. At the Prince George Farmersâ Market customer services is definitely worth pursuing. No business, whatever its size, can afford to take customers for granted, because it’s without question a buyer’s market and becoming more so every day. To succeed, the PGFMA must give its customers what they want, not what some vendors think they want. Yesterday the message was very clear; clients want a unified Market.
Listen to client people !
I think some want more foot traffic between the two markets. They think they are anchors at the ends of a shopping mall. George street is far from a shopping mall. If anything, it is a shopping mall with mostly empty stores. Empty stores cannot contribute anything to the two anchors.
The two anchors have to get along with each other to benefit themselves and will thus also benefit their customers.
Ask the few businesses that are still left on George Street if their business has increased since the market division. Then ask the farmers market vendors if they have increased business since the market division.
I suspect few could answer the question.
Some interesting comments regarding the Opinion 250 coverage of the Market on 6th this Saturday.
There is a common misconception that it is two Markets. This is not the case. The Prince George Farmers Market is a non profit association, one Market formed under the BC Society Act and run by an elected Board of Directors.
A year round location was originally established in the Old Morrison’s Mens Wear location at the corner of 3rd and George. Redevelopment by the owners forced the Market to look for an alternate location.
A new location was found on 6th Avenue behind the Keg. Surveys were done that showed the customers would like a unified Market and would support it no matter where the location. A vote was held and the Market was to move as a whole to the 6th Avenue location.
However, there were a few individuals that decided that they didn’t like this option and another vote or extraordinary meeting was called which established Wilson Square as a secondary outdoor location for the Market.
Much work has been put into the building by a few very passionate members of the Market. This included the painting, Patio work, signage to make it an enjoyable place for the customers.
This past Saturday showed what the addition of more vendors into the mix can do to enhance the experience for the public.
Their are businesses which benefit from the additional foot traffic Ritz, Simmys, Oh Chocolate, Groop. Home Sweet Home …..
However many customers do not make the stroll and the 6th location which is the year round presence of the Market suffers from a lack of customer draw. It also means additional effort and expense to operate two locations.
In the meantime the Market is trying to provide the customers with a Saturday social experience regardless of the internal politics. Feel free to visit the PG Farmers Market facebook page, or the website farmersmarketpg.ca.
All feedback is welcome as are new members and vendors…..
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