New Simcoe Farmers’ Market site -- a win-win for the agricultural society and vendors
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Diane Baltaz
Several months after settling into another location at the fairgrounds, most of the approximately 30 indoor vendors at the Simcoe Farmers’ Market report that they’re happy with the change.
The market was previously located inside the lower level of the Homecraft Building that borders South Drive. But the Norfolk County Agricultural Society is converting the Homecraft Building into a banquet facility, and moved the market to the space beneath the Lloyd S Culver Grandstand.
The new site officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony with market officials and local MPP Bobbi Ann Brady on Nov. 13.
“The new location is working very well,” said market chairperson Steven Miedema approximately seven weeks after the market reopened. “Business was constantly up during this time, although some customers likely came to the market from curiosity.”
The paved area outside the grandstand will benefit the seasonal vendors this spring, added Miedema. “The fair board gave the outdoor vendors the freedom to expand.”
Most of the vendors interviewed reported being pleased with the new location’s structure, particularly with its improved lighting, higher ceilings and better aisle flow. Some reported increases in sales, while others found that business remained stable after the initial visits by curious citizens.
Dan McCutcheon has been selling local lettuce, syrups and other produce at the Simcoe market since 1981.
“It’s phenomenal being here,” he said. “Everything is new. I noticed that many customers whom I haven’t seen for years have returned, saying that they want to ‘check things out’. It’s hard to say if they will return, but my regulars are still coming.”
McCutcheon’s sales rival his previous profits from the Homecraft site. The vendor quipped that several regulars who live within walking distance of the market remarked that they must walk further to get to the grandstand.
Danielle Jones of JD Microgreens experienced “a different feel” at the new site since she sold her first crop at the market in November, 2023.
“It’s not bigger here, but the layout and the parking are better and the ceiling is higher. It’s the same space (as before) but it feels as if there is more room here.”
“Sales are the same, but there’s better lighting here and, higher ceilings,” agreed Nolan Hoiting of Manna, Oxford Centre. Although he sells culinary mushrooms, powders and quail eggs at farm gate as well as at a Woodstock health food store, he left another farmers’ market in favour of the Simcoe site. “Once people find where I am, it’s better.”
Sisters Jolnir and Temiah Thiessen of Stormin’ Garlic, Scotland, sold their alliums at the Homecraft Building for six years.
“We’re still figuring it out,” said Jolnir. “It’s similar for us, but it’s brighter here and we appreciate the longer aisles.”
Meanwhile, Miedema believes that the Norfolk Agricultural Society also benefit from this change.
“Simcoe needs a large banquet hall,” said Miedema about the Agricultural Society’s new project. “Homecraft is being converted into a banquet facility. Simcoe doesn’t have facilities to host large banquets for 300 people. The fair board is filling this need.”
The upstairs of the hall will become the banquet facilities, with the washrooms and cooking facilities in the basement where the market was originally located, he said.
The Simcoe Farmers is open on Thursdays, offering everything from produce, flowers, baked goods, local meats, cheese, crafts, ready-to-eat-meals and eggs.
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