During the March 23 Moosomin Chamber of Commerce meeting, local business owner Jarrod Slugoski proposed the idea of a Community Market that would run through the summer.
The Community Market, unlike a farmer’s market, would feature entertainment and an opportunity for local businesses to get involved, according to Slugoski.
“It is not a farmers market, it is a community market. We don’t want people to think of it as a farmer’s market, and I don’t want you to think of it as a farmer’s market. This idea of a farmers market has evolved into the idea of a community market for the simple fact that I truly believe that coming out of this pandemic the communities that strike while the iron is hot and work to find ways to bring people into the communities will be the winners so to speak.”
“I know that Moosomin is chomping at the bit for things to do, and this makes this very overwhelming in some ways but very easy in a lot of other ways. I’m thinking about all the things that I want for Moosomin and just trying to very slowly bring that into town.”
With COVID-19 restrictions permitting, Slugoski is planning on having the Community Market begin over May long weekend.
“My plan is to do it from May long weekend until September long weekend. I have planned for the long weekend of May on Saturday Sunday and Monday and the September long weekend from Saturday to Monday to begin and end the season. The other weeks the market would just be the Saturdays.
“I am in talks with food truck people, I am in talks with about inflatables, petting zoos, I’m looking at obtaining beer gardens and entertainment.”
The intent behind the market is to provide Moosomin and surrounding communities with entertainment on Saturdays.
Slugoski explains that it can also attract visitors to the town.
“This isn’t about sponsoring, this isn’t about building money so to speak on our end. It’s about promoting the town and that’s how you promote the town. You bring people in to spend money and they say they really like it here and they want to live here.”
The initial plan with the Community Market is to have it run every Saturday from either 11 am to 4 pm or 11 am to 5 pm. Slugoski says that the vendors he spoke to say they need time to set up their booths and take them down.
“You need to give the vendors time to set up and take down, and it’s a long day if you try to do it nine to five.”
The Community Market is aimed at providing entertainment to Moosomin as well as attracting people from out of town by providing different services from entertainment to rummage sales.
“I want people in town to see that this is something for them to enjoy, I want them to see that this is something they can participate in as well. There are professional vendors that will be coming in and they travel out to set up. There’s an idea to create a rummage sale for people in town. Then you have all of the non-profits to come set up here as well. You’re taking things that people are looking for, which are interesting events, fresh fruit, and vegetables, entertainment, food trucks, areas for kids to enjoy things, and it’s just a big fancy event.”
He explains that he is still in the early stages of planning, but hopes that with the support of local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce the project will come to fruition.
“I’m at the genesis of this, I’m at the very very beginning of it.
“I think we have a very good core of this, to begin with, but I am very happy to take any and all suggestions.”
During the meeting, Slugoski provided each attendee with a blank piece of paper to write on in order to share ideas with him. Many of which came back filled with ideas.
“I moved back to Moosomin because I love this town, I forgot that I loved this town. I just want to help remind everyone else that it’s a cool town as well,” said Slugoski.
The project proposal was received well from members of the Chamber of Commerce. Tyler Thorn, who had attended to give a presentation on ideas to expand and bring new businesses to Moosomin, applauded Slugoski for his presentation.
“I know it’s not about the money, but traffic brings money. When people move around and come down they will bring their money with them. They’re going to come downtown and shop and they’re going to go to a restaurant to have lunch. So you’re doing some good things there, you’re going to bring some traffic to town and we’ll be there to support you as best as we can,” concluded Thorn.
