CFN – Last week I report on the Manotick Farmer’s Market in the South Stormont News and this week I was a vendor at the market. I was invited by the market manager Jack Williams to come and see the market and think about being a vendor. I went, I saw, I signed up. The market is scenic and well managed and the people just kept coming in to buy stuff. What more could you ask for?
Right in the middle of the historic section of Manotick, this young market jumped from 7 vendors to 15 in one week. I would like to think it’s because of the article I wrote for the South Stormont News but I think most of the credit goes to Jack who was busy contacting and inviting as many of potential vendors as he could think of or get a lead to. Of course Coffey’s Coffee was one of them.
There is a different flavour to this particular market. The mix is different and seems to be focused more on tourism than other markets I’ve been at. There is the actual farm products vendors of locally grown vegetable and fruit, pickles and other preserved vegetables but there is also graded eggs, bread baked from flour milled across the street and two vendors providing cooked food for breakfast and lunch.
There are also two Summer Company vendors who are doing a great job of marketing their business just by their attitude and positive smiling faces. Sam’s Sprouts sells alfalfa sprouts in a growing kit. I bought a kit last week and I have to say I grew the best sprouts ever with his product and instructions. My Treat Chocolates offer creatively decorated, hand molded, delicious chocolate on a stick.
We did have what I would consider a community service vendor in The Stairwell Carollers. A renowned choir who only perform to raise money for charity, they were there selling their CD’s to raise even more money for charities. I felt humbled selling my coffee for such a pedestrian desire as making a profit.
From what I’ve seen so far I think this market is going to be quite successful. There is still room for a couple more vendors so if someone wants to get in on a good thing you should contact Jack Williams to see if he has room for you.
jacksfudge@gmail.com or info@manotickfarmersmarket.com
If you just want an interesting day out then you should make the drive to Manotick and check out the market as well as Watson’s Mill and Dickinson’s House Museum.
The address for the market is 5525 Dickinson St, Manotick ON. It is open every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 2 PM.
And don’t forget the used book sale that is in the building behind it!
The Mill has had haunted tours and often show how to mill wheat etc. so there is a little bit for many.