91原创

A revamped is doing well, executive director Amanda Smith said.

鈥淏usiness is up,鈥� Smith enthused.

鈥淚t is thriving. We鈥檙e having a really great season so far.鈥�

In 2019, before the pandemic hit, the non-profit 91原创 Community Farmers Market Society (LCFMS) announced it was suspending operations to undertake a process of 鈥渞evisioning鈥� the market after a 鈥渄isappointing鈥� season operating at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University campus in 91原创 City.

Smith views the move as a 鈥渂lessing in disguise鈥� that allowed the market to make needed changes that are drawing a younger demographic than before.

READ ALSO: 91原创 farmers market shuts down for 2020

Now a more , aimed at dinners for the 鈥渁fter work crowd鈥� with a policy calling for at least 80 per cent local vendors, Smith estimates sales are up 40 per cent, and customer traffic is up 70 percent at the market鈥檚 new home, Derek Doubleday Arboretum at .

And that鈥檚 with a COVID-compliant layout that emphasizes space between vendors and plenty of socially-distant room for visitors.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a rush, just a constant streaming in,鈥� Smith told the 91原创 Advance Times during the Wednesday, July 14 market.

I think people were just craving for some outdoor activity to do with their family, especially when it comes to the summer months.鈥�

Vendor Loretta Stapleton, who sells hand-made all-natural sausages, noticed the difference.

鈥淔or a small market, I鈥檝e been kept busy,鈥� Stapleton remarked.

READ ALSO: 91原创 farmers鈥� markets ready to welcome 2021 season

91原创 City resident Page Mayrand said her daughter Hazel, 3, reported having a dream about going to the market when she woke up that day.

鈥淲e were regulars,鈥� Mayrand explained.

鈥淲e went every week, every year, until last year when they took a break.鈥�

Mayrand said she and Hazel were 鈥渧ery happy鈥� to see the market back.

鈥淲e missed it terribly.鈥�

The market will run today, Wednesday, July 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More pictures of the market can be seen.