Constance Bay Community Market returns Aug. 20

CONSTANCE BAY – The challenges of COVID-19 finally appear to be in the Constance Bay Community Market’s (CBCM) rear view mirror as the small organization gets ready for the outdoor market’s return Aug. 20.

The small market was just getting a foothold in the Constance Bay community at its home on the lawn of the St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church (205 Bayview Dr.), each season growing more popular right up until COVID-19 hit in March 2020.

Since then the CBCM adopted a variety of methods to keep operating, such as selling Cheer Boxes, a grab-bag of a variety of the market’s vendor’s favourite products or ‘grab and go’ markets – scaled down versions where customers were encouraged not to linger.

Well, all that changes as the volunteer board brings back the CBCM as the community remembers it, with its first outdoor vendors’ market on Saturday, Aug. 20.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the market in-person again,” the CBCM board released in a statement Saturday (July 30). “The vendors you know, and love will be back with favourite products and new ones too.”

The CBCM was created to provide a venue for the community to connect and for local farmers, gardeners, artisans, craftspeople, and service providers to showcase and sell their products and services.  The CBCM is a non-profit marketplace managed and operated by a volunteer board of directors, a group of support volunteers and a manager.

“The CBCM’s vision is to become a self-sustaining, regularly occurring, social destination that recognizes and meets the growing needs of the community,” the board said.

Following the Aug. 20 market, the CBCM will host monthly markets on Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.

The board is also accepting new vendors for the upcoming markets.

“We are accepting applications for agricultural, processed, arts and crafts, vintage and antiques, and food concession vendors,” the board said.

The board is also accepting applications from non-profit community groups and musicians and entertainers.

“Space is provided free of charge for non-profit community groups, musicians, and entertainers,” the board said.

For more information on becoming a vendor, click here.