The Cochrane Night Market wrapped up last week with rave reviews.
“I would love to see it happen again, it definitely helps local businesses in Cochrane,” said Amy Lay, owner of the Rustic Olive Bar in Cochrane.
“The markets helped with sales, people are here to buy and here to support locally … thanks to all the volunteers for doing it and we appreciate it and we will keep supporting it.”
Volunteers from the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) hosted the once-a-month street market, which ran from June until September starting at 5 p.m. The committee also runs the weekly Saturday Farmers’ market – in partnership with business owners in Historical Downtown.
“We were so pleased the last one ended on a good weather note – we had the largest number of vendors and food trucks and it was great to finish on a positive note,” said Valerie McCracken, market manager.
“Overall we are pretty happy with how it went.”
The last market hosted a record number of 38 vendors, filling up three streets on one side of First Street W, allowing the downtown businesses to showcase its storefronts on the other side.
Now organizers are accepting feedback from business owners, vendors and attendees to start planning for next year.
“I hope next year they can do it every week, on every Thursday or every second Thursday,” said Fiona Sharman, owner of Global Pet Foods in Cochrane.
“To me it is all about the community and I think it is a great community event – I support the market 100 per cent.”
McCracken said the majority of feedback organizers have heard so far has been positive, with only a couple of negative comments.
“The weather was challenging for a few of the markets … and there have been some negative comments about the street closures but we absolutely try to work with people in the closure zones,” McCracken said.
“The largest challenge is closing the downtown and how it impacts everyone.”
The organizer explained that typically closures start as early as 3 p.m. to get everything prepped for the night market and volunteers can work up to 10- to 12-hour shifts.
“This year was a trial to see how well they were received and if it worked for everyone,” McCracken explained.
“Evening markets everywhere struggled with the wet weather this year so we were no different from that … but the Cochrane community has been really supportive of all of it.”
Next year, organizers will be accepting feedback to determine the frequency and locations of the night markets, so they can start planning and booking vendors by late fall.
“Most businesses have been fairly supportive and we want to know if the markets are seen as an opportunity or how it impacts their business,” McCracken said.
“We also want to know from the community as a whole.”
To give feedback on the Cochrane Street Markets, contact organizers at [email protected]
