The Estevan Farmers鈥� Market had a slight decline in sales this year for its spring and summer sales, but the vendors were happy, and they had a number of accomplishments during the past six months.
The markets were held from late April to mid-October at the Estevan Shoppers Mall. The first four sales of the year were inside the mall, and the remaining sales were outdoors at the mall鈥檚 parking lot.
Market manager Pat Thompson said the total sales for the markets was $249,712, which was down about $13,000 from last year. She attributed the lower sales to the state of the local economy.
But the vendors were pleased with the number of shoppers and the weather co-operated for most of their sales.
鈥淲e seemed to be off to a bit of a slow start, and things didn鈥檛 pick up until late July or the first part of August for us, but I think once our produce starts arriving at the market, we get a better attendance,鈥� she said.
They typically had 12 to 20 vendors each week.
She highlighted the Aug. 20 sale, which was their customer appreciation day. They paid tribute to long-time vendor and board member Lynda Dunbar, and had more than 30 vendors present, which was a record.聽
鈥淚t was phenomenal, and we had such a great turnout by all of our customers,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淭alking to a few people, there were people from Estevan 鈥� and had never been to the farmers鈥� market, and just had to stop by that day because they had to see what was going on.鈥�
Hopefully those people who came for the first time will continue to come to the markets, because Thompson believes they will have a greater appreciation for the different merchandise the vendors offer.
She also hopes local residents will realize the markets have a lot more than just produce and other foods for sale.
鈥淚 always try to tell people that there鈥檚 more to the market than just the produce,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淲e have a lot of handcrafted goods and home-based businesses. It doesn鈥檛 cost anything to attend. You can just take a walk through and see what鈥檚 there. There might be something else that might catch your eye.鈥�
She recognizes it has been a difficult year for vendors and consumers alike due to the local economy, and she hopes the economic conditions will improve for all.
Thompson is optimistic the momentum from the final few weeks of the season will continue through their Christmas sales, which will occur on Nov. 26, and Dec. 3, 10 and 17 inside the Estevan Shoppers Mall.
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping that we get a good attendance from vendors and shoppers for our Christmas sales,鈥� said Thompson.
Thompson said the markets typically attract a variety of vendors, and they are usually well-supported by the public. The registration forms for the Christmas sales will be going out to the vendors this week.
They are always looking for new vendors, but all vendors must be pre-approved before attending the market.聽
