St. John's Farmers' Market slowly cultivating a new home
Market moving into former Metrobus building in 2017; raising money for renovations
The St. John's Farmers' Market launched its seventh season this past Saturday, and is currently located at the Lions Club off Bonaventure Avenue.
But the market is expected to flourish even more in a couple of years when it relocates to the former Metrobus building on Freshwater Road.
Colin Greene, a member of the co-operative's board of directors, says the turnout on Saturday was impressive, but the atmosphere was a little cramped.
The market typically has more vendors than space at the Lions Club chalet, but that will change in 2017, says Greene.
The co-op has committed to raising $100,000 to renovate the Metrobus building, and Greene understands there's plenty of work to be done.
That includes adding washrooms, seating, kitchens, and hopefully more permanent spaces for the market's regular vendors.
So far, about $25,000 has been raised, and that effort received a boost Monday evening when St. John's city council voted to exempt the market from property taxes when it relocates to the Metrobus building.
The market opens every Saturday throughout the summer and fall.