By Martha Aitkin, Bruce Peninsula Press
Wednesday September 11th marked the final day of the second season for the Tobermory Marketplace. It was a lovely warm September day with just a few sprinkles of rain. In general, the Marketplace has enjoyed some really fine weather over the summer of 2024 with just a couple of rainy Wednesdays.
Even on the rainy days there were upwards of 18 vendors, and on the best days, as many as 23 vendors. This represents a significant increase over the 2023 season, which saw an average number of vendors that was closer to 16.
As I walked around and talked with the last day vendors they all spoke with enthusiasm about the relocation of the market into the Blue Heron company’s parkette, where Peacock’s Foodland was formerly located. This relocation was the highlight of the season as it has come with a noticeable increase in the number of visitors, stronger sales and a better view.
Teresa, from the Cape Chin Micro Farm, with her stock of beeswax candles, honey, eggs and roaster chickens, mentioned that the WiFi signal is strong in this location making it easy to use bank cards and credit cards for sales. North Bruce Peninsula Councillor Laurie (Smokey) Golden held up a package of her famous and delicious butter tarts for my camera and promised that she will have pies for the indoor market at the Community Centre planned for Saturday November 9th. You better get there early if you want one!
The Tobermory Marketplace features mostly local artisans, bakers, and craftspeople with a delightful variety of handmade items including beautiful felted wool creations inspired by nature, stained glass, jewelry, handcrafted wooden furniture and decorative items, fresh flowers, beeswax candles, baked goods, decorated mugs, dog treats, soap and brilliant tie dye t-shirts. Occasionally you will find a bit of produce from local gardens for sale such as tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini.
The co-ordinator for the Tobermory Chamber of Commerce, Anthony Pettit, along with Wendy Perkes of Tobermory, look forward to the return of the Tobermory Marketplace next year. Small changes are planned such as increased publicity through the Bruce Peninsula Press, more signage in and around Tobermory and an increased social media presence.
I hope to see many local shoppers at the indoor market on November 9th at the Tobermory Community Centre (time TBD) where we can enjoy each other’s company and do some Christmas shopping in the post tourist/pre-Christmas season. Don’t forget – there will be pie!
