fewer customers, but growing optimism at charlottetown farmers’ market
3 minute read
travis cummiskey, owner of glen lake pasture farm and president of the charlottetown farmers' market co-operative, says some vendors have lost up to 40 per cent of their customers following the market's move to its temporary location.
vivian ulinway
/
the guardian
business at the charlottetown farmers’ market is slowly picking up as summer approaches, but many vendors say they are still seeing fewer customers than they did before a christmas day fire forced the market to move to a temporary location.
several vendors who spoke with the guardian during the june 20 market said foot traffic has improved in recent weeks as more islanders and tourists discover the new location. however, challenges such as limited parking, a smaller footprint and changes to customers’ shopping routines continue to affect business.
for alex jamieson, owner of riverdale orchard, the transition to the space on north river road has been largely positive. the new market space is smaller and more crowded, he said, but customers are gradually returning.
“people are coming back, and it’s getting busier each week,” jamieson said.
he said many of his regular customers have continued to shop with him since the move. with summer beginning, he is also seeing more visitors from the united states and europe.
others say the recovery has been slower.
alex jamieson, owner of riverdale orchard, says business has been improving steadily as customers return to the charlottetown farmers’ market’s temporary location.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
40 per cent losses
travis cummiskey, owner of glen lake pasture farm and president of the farmers’ market co-operative, said many vendors are still dealing with lower sales compared to before the fire.
the decline varies depending on the type of business, he said, but some vendors have reported losses ranging from 25 to 40 per cent.
“prepared food vendors have seen even bigger declines,” cummiskey said.
he said the loss in revenue has forced some business owners to take on additional work to make ends meet.
cummiskey believes the move in location changed customers’ weekly habits.
“people have different routines. it takes a while to get into it,” he said.
he also pointed to parking and the smaller layout as ongoing concerns.
advertisement
“we do have parking that’s a little farther away, but people are a little hesitant.”
parking and seating
donal mcgivern, owner of loaf and ladle said he is thankful the market was able to find a temporary home after the fire but admitted the number of customers has not fully recovered.
he estimates his business is down about 15 per cent compared to the former location on belvedere avenue, where it had operated for 40 years.
donal mcgivern, owner of loaf and ladle, says customer traffic has been growing in recent weeks, though business remains below pre-fire levels.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
mcgivern said, besides the parking concerns, the new locations offers fewer areas to sit and eat, which has changed how customers spend time at the market.
“people are not staying as long because there’s not as much seating,” he said. “people are moving faster.”
still, he said the business traffic has been improving week after week.
“the last few weeks have just been notably busier. you see the tourists are trickling in as well.”
customers returning
wanda trainor, owner of east isle farm, told the guardian that she has noticed the same trend.
“it was a slow start, but as the summer’s coming on, the tourists and the local people are starting to figure out where things are,” she said.
wanda trainor, owner of east isle farm, says business is picking up as more locals and tourists discover the charlottetown farmers’ market’s temporary location.
vivian ulinwa
/
the guardian
trainor, whose business focuses on berries and berry products, said summer is usually her busiest season, and she expects business to continue improving in the coming weeks.
she has also seen new customers and visitors from off-island finding their way to the market at 614 north river rd.
she said she wants people to continue visiting the market and enjoy the experience as they have done for decades.
- stay informed: don’t miss the news you need to know. sign up for our newsletter today.
vivian ulinwa is a reporter for the guardian in prince edward island. she can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on x @vivian_ulinwa.
share story
