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Chemainus Public Market vendors venture outdoors

Different functions in the works to appeal to all tastes
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Market stalls set up in the Chemainus Public Market parking lot. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The intention of the Chemainus Public Market is not to be situated outdoors.

But, for now, with the effects of the coronavirus scuttling an earlier proposed grand opening, it’s an alternative to get up and running and into the public eye.

A limited number of stalls were set up socially distanced in the market parking lot Wednesday, attracting plenty of attention from mainly curious locals with tourism reduced to the bare minimum from the virus.

“The purpose of today’s market is to give our vendors some exposure,” said Market Manager Laurie Douglas. “The people who are going to be inside are out here.”

An instant connection was made by many members of the public with the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce’s former Wednesday market cancelled by the coronavirus, but the two are mutually exclusive.

“We’re not replacing the Wednesday market,” stressed Douglas. “We don’t have any plans to overtake something someone else is doing.”

The bottom line is “we just want to be part of the community,” she added.

It was a beautiful day and numerous locals stopped by to check out the fare offered by those operating the stalls.

One especially vendor and you can tell there’s always going to be a high demand for her offerings was Julie McQuarrie of Perogalicious, offering handmade and homemade perogies and cabbage rolls.

“I’ve been inundated since this thing started,” she said. “I’m excited and happy.”

Patrons should not mark Wednesdays down on their calendars as a permanent day for the outdoor offering of the market because that’s not the case. The plan is for a more diverse series of special events outside and inside once conditions allow and on different days - perhaps on a Sunday afternoon for a corresponding car show.

“We want a variety,” said Douglas. “We don’t want to just be out here doing markets all the time.”

It’s been a long time coming for the market and people will eventually get inside to see the complete transformation of the former Chemainus Foods building.

“We can’t wait to be open,” Douglas enthused.

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Jennie Mitchell of Sewing With Spirit displays masks made by Jodie Greis that were for sale at the Chemainus Public Market outdoor market. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Chemainus Public Market manager Laurie Douglas is glad to have a market event finally happening after so many delays. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Julie McQuarrie of Perogalicious dishes out some cabbage rolls and perogies to market customers like Jo-Ann Erickson. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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