Old Strathcona Farmers' Market set to open on Sundays

After operating only on Saturdays for more than 40 years, Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers' Market will be open on Sundays, starting next month. 

The market will be open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning May 4. 

This decision follows a survey showing strong customer support for a Sunday opening and the city's requirement to increase activity and vibrancy in the area.

The expansion has prompted mixed reactions from the market's vendors, but many say they are excited for the change. 

Tammy O'Brien, owner of candle business Eternal Flame, acknowledges the challenge for some, especially since the market has traditionally been a one-day event. 

"I do know for a lot of vendors it is affecting them because it has been a single-day market for the last 42 years almost," she said. "[Sunday] is our church day, that's the one day a week to spend with our families."

O'Brien said the new Sunday opening is a great opportunity for her to attract more customers, but she wishes the market would be open later.

"For myself, I'm 100 per cent for it, I just think it should be longer hours," O'Brien said. "A lot of people don't live in the city, so to have to arrange somewhere to sleep for the night, it should be a longer day."

Alison Wiznura-Rubens, owner of Bubbles + Bliss Soap Company Inc., is enthusiastic about the change. 

"Change is inevitable and it can be something very positive," she said. "Our approach for the company and with the market is just to embrace it and see where it takes us."

Although Wiznura-Rubens says she will have to hire someone to keep up with the new Sunday schedule, the change also gives the company room to attend other markets on Saturdays. 

Micaela Szpigiel, the farmers' market's communications co-ordinator, said the change will give customers more variety and an opportunity to continue supporting local. 

"We're expecting to see our customers span out over the two days,"  said Szpigiel. 

"Most of our vendors will be exactly the same as Saturday. There will be some smaller vendors that won't be there on Sunday, but will be there on Saturday."

Szpigiel said there has been a lot of support for the change, with many looking forward to the extra day of shopping. 

"Lots of the community has just expressed that they're thankful this is finally happening. Now that they can come on a second day, if they forget something, they're able to come back to our market and not go elsewhere."

Both the market and the vendors have been preparing for the change for months, said Szpigiel. The market has also launched a job board to help vendors hire extra staff for Sunday operations.

A new walk-in cooler is being installed, allowing vendors to store their products for both days without the hassle of unpacking and reloading.

The City of Edmonton is also in favour of the change, as it aligns with its Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy. 

"The market is a vital part of the community. We appreciate that this is a big change for the market, and we're very excited to see them expand their hours and bring this heritage building to life all weekend long," said Chris Hodgson, the city's branch manager of real estate, in a statement. 

"We're hoping it will bring even more visitors into the Old Strathcona and help support the vibrancy and walkability of the area."