The wide-open spaces in front of an Okotoks service club’s hall makes it the ideal location to sell fresh vegetables and wares.
The Okotoks Elks Farmers’ Market starts July 4 at the club’s hall at 53 Elizabeth Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“One of the members of the River District Business Association, Lisa Watts of Hubtown Brewing, came to us and said, ‘Why don’t you start a farmers’ market because you have the ideal set up to help bring business to the downtown core for all the businesses as well,” said Blair Davies, Elks Club farmers’ market director. “We have a large sidewalk on the outside of the building which allows us to have outdoor booths.”
As well, there will be booths in the hall.
As of June 24, there were approximately 20 booths committed for opening day. However, Davies said there is potential for 50 booths while still respecting physical distancing due to COVID-19. Once restrictions are relaxed there is room for more than 100 booths. The market will run Saturdays until Sept. 12.
He said a five to 10-year goal is to have a farmers’ market that would include almost all of Elizabeth Street, similar to what is done in Penticton.
“We want to make it (the market) a destination point for Okotoks,” Davies said. “With the market running from 11 to 3 p.m., we can get people from Calgary, High River, and the surrounding area to have lunch at one of the many restaurants in Okotoks, and to shop at the stores that are all in downtown Okotoks.
“The businesses complement the market and the market complements the downtown… We want this to be a thriving downtown.”
Mandy Patterson, president of the River District Business Association, agreed.
“The market will bring down a multitude of customers that will enjoy the farmers’ market the Elks Club is bringing,” said Patterson, who owns Cactus Club Salon and Spa. “I’m sure customers will move their way down the downtown core through the River district.”
The association plans to have a booth at the market to promote businesses in the River district, which goes from Motion Fitness to Seaman Stadium (including Elma Street).
Davies said he has discussed the market with downtown business operators who have overwhelmingly endorsed the idea. Several have put farmers’ market posters in their windows and have posted the event on their respective Facebook pages.
As well, the Elks are inviting businesses to have sandwich board signs at the market.
“We want them to put up directional signs to their businesses to draw businesses further down the street or on Elma Street,” Davies said.
He said with the Elks Market being downtown and with it being on a Saturday, it doesn’t compete with the Friday night Okotoks Farmers’ Market just north of town. As well, he said the Elks market would complement the much larger Millarville Farmers’ Market, which is held on Saturdays.
Some of the Okotoks area vendors committed to the Elks market as of June 24 include 94 Take the Cake and Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop.
Proceeds from the Elks farmers’ market will go towards the service club’s charity programs. The Elks have been in Okotoks since 1927.
