New community market in Gravenhurst aiming to provide outlet for local vendors
A group of entrepreneurs are the driving force behind a new community market in Gravenhurst.
Aptly called the Gravenhurst Community Market, Chantal Belcourt started the idea after she was unable to secure a spot in the already existing farmers market in the cottage country community.
"I put out a post on social media asking if there was a need within the community, and there was quite a bit of positive feedback in regards to it; vendors needing an outlet to sell their products," Belcourt says to CTV News.
The already-existing market runs on a weekday, so after polling those interested potential vendors, Belcourt realized there was a desire for it on the weekend.
"For those that work during the week, that work a Monday to Friday workweek, they are able to come out on a Sunday," says Belcourt. "It gives people something to do and look forward to."
There is a mixture of vendors available, with many artisans now having a proper outlet to display their products.
"This opportunity is just great because I know a lot of vendors can't get into the local farmers' markets; they are very full," says Brooke Morrow of Kigons Creations. "So this is just a great opportunity for smaller vendors, people who want to get their work out there in the community."
On day one, Gravenhurst mayor Paul Kelly was in attendance, voicing his support for the new initiative.
"Having this on a weekend because we have a lot of our seasonal residents coming up on weekends and also the tourism trade is certainly attracted to this kind of opportunity," says Kelly.
The market will run on Sundays at the Muskoka Drive-In from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
developing A bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.