ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Andrew Waterman
The Telegram
@AndrewLWaterman
Tourists coming to St. John’s are often drawn to the downtown core, in search of food, Newfoundland and Labrador crafts and souvenirs, and the elusive Jelly Bean Row. But they might not necessarily know about, or even have time to visit, a local market.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Gillian Phillips, owner of plant-based bakery Gingerly, decided to start Trinity Market, which takes place inside Trinity Pub, as a way to connect local entrepreneurs and businesses to downtown tourists.
“We did have one market in March, before the pandemic,” Phillips said. “Even though it was in the winter we had this really sunny day. I guess the sunshine brought out people. … We saw an incredible amount of foot traffic.”
The fact that it takes place in a pub adds a little extra appeal.
“People kind of like the idea they can have a pint, they can shop, they can socialize, they can have a bite to eat, the mood is very light,” Phillips said.
However, this means minors can attend only if they are accompanied by an adult.
This Sunday, the market will open again, the first time since the pandemic, and will showcase local woodworking, clothing, art and food.
“This weekend we have our first food truck,” Phillips said. “Saucy Mouth food truck, they’re going to grace us with their presence, they’re going to set up in our lot. We also have Curry Delight. They’re going to set up a tent outside.”
Lori Gosse, owner, designer and maker of Jewelry by Lori, was one of the vendors at the first market before the pandemic.
Normally, Gosse is a vendor at the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, which is about a two-kilometre walk from Trinity Pub. She says the new market gives her a chance to “broaden her horizons” by allowing her to meet different customers and vendors.
“It’s a more intimate setting, as well, so when you have time you can chat with a new vendor you may not have gotten the chance to chat with before,” she said.
Under current recommendations with regard to COVID-19, the number of vendors they are allowing is less than what they would allow under normal circumstance, Phillips says.
“We’re trying to make the best use of our space and still keep in mind social distancing,” she said.
All vendors will be required to have hand-sanitizing stations at their booth. Masks are not required and is left to the discretion of the vendor or customer.
“The changes, they weren’t too challenging now where things have eased down a little bit,” she said. “We did want to wait a little while to kick things off again. With the pedestrian mall opening Friday, we decided to have our event (Sunday).”
The pedestrian mall is a portion of Water Street that will only be accessible by foot, which the City of St. John’s opened for two months this summer as an experiment.
The Trinity Market will take place every second Sunday from 12-5 p.m. and will showcase a rotating selection of vendors.