By Sue Tiffin
Published June 8 2017
Two of the county farmers’ markets are in full swing and the third is prepared to open in a new place with a new name.
The Carnarvon market is being renamed as the Stanhope market to reflect its move from the intersection of highways 35 and 118 in Carnarvon to the Stanhope Community Centre grounds at 1095 North Shore Road. The market has been held in the lot next to what is now Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnarvon since its opening in summer 2010. That lot is for sale and no longer available and market manager Amanda Rico said a lack of parking forced the move. She is enthusiastic about the change.
“All the vendors were really positive about the new location because it’s a beautiful facility” said Rico. “It has everything the vendors need – room rest area playground for the kids ample parking so facility-wise it’s fantastic. We couldn’t ask for a better spot.”
Rico said signs up on market day would redirect shoppers from the former space to the new spot.
“That’s going to be the permanent location and that market’s not going anywhere” she said. “It’s staying there for the whole season. It’ll be there next year. That’s going to be its new roots its new grounds.”
Rico said the new space would be safer without shoppers having to cross the highway to get to the market.
“Stanhope also gives us the option to grow” she said. “Because there’s more space more vendors can be there. We’re not all crammed in and it doesn’t limit us. Stanhope gives us the possibility of growing which we didn’t have before.”
The Minden market which has been open since May 20 moved from the temporary spot it has held at the Minden Fairgrounds back to its space at the site of the former Pritchard House next to the municipal building parking lot on June 3. The market was moved to the fairgrounds due to flooding in the downtown area in May.
“It’s a little bit of work because you have to remap everything out” said Rico. “But the response to the fairgrounds was fantastic and we got people up there when the bridge was closed. The market has a really solid loyal following. It goes where it has to go and everyone follows.”
The Haliburton market opened on May 23 and remains at Head Lake Park. “Haliburton hasn’t moved and hopefully it never will” laughed Rico.
The Stanhope market opens June 16 with a celebration that includes gift baskets and giveaways. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. It’s open from 12 to 4 p.m. every Friday. The Minden market is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Haliburton market is open 12 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. All three markets are open until the first week of October.
