Market celebrates… 20th anniversary

James Bay Market Society

Submitted by Pat McGuire

Board Chair 1996 - 2000
Volunteer Market Coordinator, 1996 – 1998

I was a parent at South Park School when I learned of the proposed James Bay Community Market, and soon became a founding director of the James Bay Market Society. We modeled its policies and procedures on those of the successful Moss Street Market that had been established by local farmers the year before.

One director was Ruth Koski, who volunteered her basement for storage of the market equipment and staffed the Information booth, contributing creative and practical ideas, always networking to recruit volunteers. Community residents who helped establish the Market early on are Sheila, Mary, Teresa, Tom, Gillian, Susan, Audrey, Joyanna, Dorothy, Terry, David, Janet, and Jessie.

Sunday June 4,1995 was inaugural opening day with maybe 15 vendors set up on the paved area with one farmer from the peninsula. That summer vendor and visitor numbers varied, especially when the weather was inclement. The market manager was young woman with Toronto market experience, so we benefited from her organizational skills. The next summer was a struggle, and there was serious thought the Market would not continue. Re-thinking, networking, involving new people and building enthusiasm took up the next many months.

Tim Van Alstine (then Chair of the JBNA) facilitated relocating the Market to the corner of Menzies and Superior for summer 1997, where it still operates from May to October.

In this more visible location, tourists wandered up from the Inner Harbour or from nearby hotels. Now, when cruise ships are in port, their passengers come by, too.

To engage people, we had maps and pushpins for visitors to indicate where they lived in the world; sold coffee from Cup of Joe’s restaurant and eggs from the Blenkinsop Valley. We defined the outside perimeter with colourful pennants and put on special events like Harvest Day with contests and goats from the Beacon Hill Petting Zoo, Mother’s Day cake, Emily Carr Day, Health Fair, Non-Profits’ Day, Bicycle to Market Day.

The next couple of summers we relied upon an elderly trio of seniors who played spoons, fiddle and guitar, for no pay. Even if the tunes were a bit off-key, they were well appreciated! More variety was realized with regularly networking, and in the past few years, due to a focused effort, the Market has become known for its musical offerings.

While the Society’s Constitution focuses on local agriculture it was, frankly, a long-time struggle to get farmers to join us. Among the first were Amaiah with her organic produce, Goldstream Herbs, and Jason, the ‘pepper man’, with his giant potted pepper, basil, and eggplants.

Our baker was Vanessa. Soon Kathy, a Duncan farmer, anchored the front corner spot, and next to her was Connie with her beautiful floral arrangements and vegetables. Across from Kathy was Joy, from up-island, who sold sewing and knitted items. Jewellery, soaps, wooden toys, decorated wooden signs, crushable fabric hats, pottery, artwork, clothing, reiki, and other goods and services became the norm, with vendor numbers rising to 40+ and holding to this day. It’s satisfying to know that several vendors moved on to establish their own storefront operations.

On Saturdays along ‘Growers Row,’ James Bayers have lots of choice with local, non-certified and certified organic produce, and even local meats.

Denis Bodson would certainly be happy that his vision of a neighbourhood market in James Bay has been realized and sustained.

Celebrate Opening Day on Saturday, May 2, and be sure to come by any Saturday, rain or shine, 9am – 3pm at the corner of Menzies and Superior until October 10.

Happy 20^th Birthday to the James Bay Community Market!