Vendors, customers and market organizers are giving solid marks to a successful opening day of the Ladner Village Market.
The 24th season kicked off Sunday under sunny skies in Ladner with a different market experience. This year’s Market offers up food-only vendors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow for proper social distancing, there is only one entry and exit point. There is fencing around the perimeter, a queuing system, which allows for 300 or so patrons, vendors and volunteers inside the Market at any one time, enhanced sanitizing, one-way directional markers and a ‘shop don’t stop’ mandate allowing for traffic to flow at a consistent pace throughout the day.
Absent are the buskers, entertainment and the ability to consume food while shopping and browsing…all of that is simply not possible under the current provincial health guidelines.
Jill McKnight, one of the Market organizers, told the Optimist when they stopped by at 1:30 p.m. that opening day was a success.
“We’ve had tremendous support from the community…we are very fortunate,” said McKnight. “We did have a line-up until about 12:30 p.m. The line-up has decreased now. At its peak it was about 25 minutes to get in, but people have said once you are through the line-up there is plenty of space in the market.”
McKnight said the queuing system, social distancing and sanitizing measures that were put in place all worked very well.
“We didn’t know what to think, but we have great volunteers who have been working on getting people through,” she said. “Just like anything new, we will take all the feedback in and make adjustments. The people I have spoken to feel that the Market is very well organized and that it is operating in a safe manner.”
Many of the vendors were wearing masks and had Plexiglass up around their booths, while many patrons also wore masks, although that is not a mandatory requirement.
Patrick Demers owner of Maples’ Sugar Shack from Squamish has been a Market regular for a number of years.
“I’m very impressed with the measures that they have done to make this a safe market to attend,” he said. “This looks like one of the best run markets that I have seen. The public is great…the customers are great. It’s a different scene. You will have to wait a bit to get in, but you will have a pleasant experience. It’s not overcrowded and you will have an opportunity to meet the farmers and the small scale producers.”
Lydia Ryall from Cropthorne Farm said the whole day was very positive.
“People are grateful that we’re here. The Market organizers have done a great job figuring things out. For the most part it’s been really nice to have a steady flow throughout the day,” she said.
Meaghan Snow from Snow Farms returned to the Market after several years absent.
She said the crowd flow was great.
“It’s nice not having massive crowds, so you can interact with the customers a bit more. We’ve also been promoting the farm stand in Ladner, so now people are going to stop by there when it’s not Market days, so that’s a win too,” Snow said.
Dawn Levelton owner of Back for More Bites from Steveston said it was her first time at the Ladner Village Market and she was thrilled to be on hand.
“I love the sense of community as well as the general vibe,” she said. “People are excited to be here so it makes me feel even more excited, so my first impression is excellent. I’m so impressed with the social distancing protocols, the directional arrows and not eating in the Market, and that is thanks to all the volunteers and managers. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Shoppers that the Optimist spoke briefly with said they too were impressed with the layout, directional arrows, signage and sanitization efforts and that they felt it was a safe, shopping experience.
To provide feedback to Market organizers, email: [email protected].
The next Ladner Village Market is July 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
