For a first time, the Two Rivers Market at the old Tytler Public School on Ontario Street had the feel of a bustling farmers’ market at times on Friday afternoon. We’ll see how it grows over the next 20 consecutive Fridays.
Organized in St. Patrick’s Ward by Ward resident and community activist Susan Carey, the weekly market has a definite community-building purpose and vibe.
Building on the idea of the “garden city,” Carey said starting a farmers’ market in a neighbourhood, and doing all you possibly can to ensure it is a success, is an excellent way to foster cooperation, friendships, and a sense of belonging to something that is growing and thriving.
The components of a successful farmers’ market, she said, are identical to the elements of a good neighbourhood and a good city.
“We are positioning it as a neighbourhood market, but we’ve set a 30-kilometre radius,” Carey said, speaking of the distance limit for vendors.
Anyone with organic produce, seedlings, handcrafted items or other unique items to sell, living within the city limits of Guelph and little beyond, are welcome to apply for space at the outdoor market.
Mike Barber was there on Friday with his homemade honey. A maker of the sweet nectar of the bee, Barber is also a bee rescuer, helping home owners, organizations and businesses out of unwanted bee swarms and occupancy. He had jars of honey and a handmade bee house on display.
Michael Schimp, owner of Garden Maker, was there with sturdy seedlings and aromatic soaps. And jewellery maker Ashland Kearns was marketing their upcycled, collar-focused accessories for the very first time. Kearns is also a Ward dweller.
“I take these vintage items and make a different kind of jewelry from them,” said Kearns, who calls their handcrafting business Colla Red Designs.
“It’s great to be here, doing this in my community,” Kearns said. “I’m really hoping that it becomes a destination for a lot of people and vendors every Friday. I hope to find my friends and my neighbours here, lots of good, fresh food, and lots of other makers.”
Artist and designer Margot Jenner set up a vendor’s booth along the west wall of the school, selling unique, handmade greeting card and notebooks, broaches, and dress-up paper dolls reminiscent of former times.
“I definitely need a place like this where I can market my work,” she said. “And I live just around the block, which is great. Hopefully it picks up as it goes along.”
Carey said she was happy with the first event, as were the vendors. The crowd was fluid, but the venue was packed at one point late in the afternoon. Many people dropped by to drop off vendor applications, she added.
The market happens Friday from 3-7 p.m. at Tytler, 131 Ontario St. in the Ward.
