New Dartmouth weekend market to open soon

By Joanie Veitch - The Weekly News
The old Value Village site is a bustling spot again as it transforms from thrift store to the new Harbourview Weekend Market.
A new sign is on order, and once the renovations are completed, owner Gary Janes said there will be space for 200 booths inside, along with an indoor food court, with seating, and spots for vendors outside as well.
Part farmers' market, part flea market and part antiques market, the new market should have something for everybody. And Janes said he's been getting nothing but positive feedback so far.
"The local people are coming by and saying they're looking forward to being able to buy their groceries locally again. Since the Sobeys on Pleasant Street closed, it's been hard for them to get fresh produce," Janes said.
Janes is no stranger to the market business. A former government employee, he ran a weekend market for 13 years in London, Ont. After returning to his native Nova Scotia, he knew when he heard the Value Village site would be available it was the spot for him.
"It's a great location. It's easy to get to and there's lots of parking available. It's going to be great," he said.
Vendors can sign up on a week-by-week basis, renting a booth for $30 a day or $60 for the full weekend.
Although Alderney Landing currently offers a farmers' market, with the recent surge in interest in buying local, Janes thinks there's more than enough room for both to do well.
So far Janes has some produce sellers lined up, along with a local meat producer and baker. In the food court a vendor will be selling Belgian waffles, along with others selling such things as homemade ice cream and East Indian food.
Although the flea market that used to run on Sundays at the Penhorn Mall ceased operations a couple of years ago, it was a very popular event and Janes expects to pick up some of the vendors from that operation.
"People love this kind of thing. Something like this is long overdue for this area," Janes said.
jveitch@ns.sympatico.ca