The Estevan Farmers’ Market saw an overall increase in revenues in 2015, as their summer sales were up but their Christmas sales were down.
Figures released during the organization’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 10 show the Farmers’ Market enjoyed $309,761 in sales, which was an increase of $3,614 from 2014.
The spring and summer sale revenues were up by about $25,000. Those sales are held from late April to mid-October each year.
“I think we, maybe, had a little better weather this past summer than we had the previous year,” said Pat Thompson, who was last year’s market manager. “We still seem to have our fair share of windy days and rainy days, but the shoppers still come out no matter what the weather. But not as many of our vendors can come out when the weather isn’t very good.”
Their four pre-Christmas sales suffered a $22,000 decline in revenues. Thompson suspects the local economy was responsible for the decrease.
“We’ve also found that there are a lot more trade shows than there used to be, so that pulled some of our vendors and our shoppers away as well,” said Thompson.
The farmers’ market will open their season with four weeks of indoor Saturday sales at the Estevan Shoppers Mall, starting on April 23. Their first outdoor sale in the mall’s parking lot will be May 21. The outdoor sales will happen each week until Oct. 8.
Their first indoor pre-Christmas sale at the mall will be Nov. 26, and those will continue weekly on Saturdays until Dec. 17. The Christmas sales are scheduled to begin a week later than they did in 2015, and Thompson is optimistic that adjustment will boost their Christmas revenues.
Thompson announced at the AGM that she was stepping down as the market manager. Leona Koslowski, an Estevan resident who started selling at the markets last November, has been hired to replace Thompson. She’ll officially start during the first sale next month.
“We’re just in the process of transitioning over right now, and transferring the duties and doing a little bit of training,” said Thompson.
Thompson has been the market manager since the fall of 2012. While it was a part-time job, it did require a lot of time, and she was constantly on call.
“Throughout the week, you’re dealing with a lot of calls from vendors enquiring about the markets, and you have people phoning … or sending you a message to see who’s going to be at the market. Or they’re looking for information about certain vendors,” said Thompson.
She will remain active with the markets, as she and her husband, Phil, are on the board of directors, and she’ll still attend the markets.
Mary Antonenko will be the board president in 2016. Raelene Fieber is the secretary and Samantha Butler is the treasurer. The remaining board members are Koslowski, Mandi Perry-Zohner, Bonnie Ries, Cheryl Lake and Marlene Salmers.
Pat Thompson said the farmers’ market is looking forward to having another good year and being part of the community. She knows a lot of people appreciate the market, and the market’s board appreciates the people who attend throughout the year.
