A four-month trial run in the winter at the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre proved to be a successful venture for the Squamish Farmers' Market.
The four dates drew close to 4,000 people and organizer Carolyn Morris said she was pleased with how the partnership worked.
"I think it's been great overall," she said, during the final market on Sunday (April 10). "Today we had 46 vendors and for our first market we had 20, so we're definitely growing."
Morris said the vendors have embraced the addition of the winter markets.
"There was a little resistance in the beginning but the response from the vendors has been good," she said.
Vendor Shelby Miller, who runs the Shelby Miller Jewelry Designs booth, said the move to the winter has been positive.
"I think it's worked out really well," she said. "We were going to do it at Brennan Park but it's really been amazing to come here and be around these cool trains."
This is the third year that Miller has been involved with the Farmers' Market, sharing her jewelry designs with Squamish residents after moving to town from Nelson in 2008. She said the partnership between with the West Coast Heritage Railway Park has worked out for both groups.
"The customers and people who come to the market seem to love it," she said. "It's really seemed to bring the families and kids out to the railway park and I think it's been good for both of us. "
Dave Thomson, general manager of the West Coast Heritage Railway Park, agreed with Miller.
"The West Coast Railway Heritage Park is very pleased with how the winter's Farmers' Market went this year," Thomson said. "I just finished telling Carolyn that the Squamish Farmers' Market Association have been the best tenants in the Roundhouse thus far since opening in July 2010. The association and its members have been positive, respectful, and accommodating through all four markets.
"Today drew 841 people into the park bringing our four-event total to just under 4,000. The numbers speak for themselves. Squamish residents and their guests enjoyed the winter market."
Both parties seemed to be open to having the market return next year but details still have to be ironed out.
"It has been a pleasure working with the association and I would love to have them back in 2011-'12," Thomson said. "I hope we can have it more frequent than once a month.
"I think we'll hopefully be back," Miller said. "It's just worked out so well."
The group will return to its outdoor venue, which is located on the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Victoria Street, on Saturdays from May 15 to Oct. 9. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will take place in rain or shine.
For more information on the market, visit www.squamishfarmersmarket.com.
