[SteelTown]

Farmer's market moves to new site in March

The Hamilton Spectator
(Jan 16, 2008)

The former Centre Mall farmer's market is one step closer to its new home.

Councillors voted yesterday at a planning committee meeting to rezone two parking lots on Britannia Avenue off Ottawa Street to give the market a permanent home. The market was forced out of its historic location at Centre Mall because of a massive retail redevelopment. The market has set up a temporary location in the Canadian Tire parking lot on Barton Street.

The new location is supported by market vendors and area businesses. The city received only one letter of complaint from a resident, who is concerned the market will increase parking congestion and bother nearby houses. City staff stated the vendors will not idle their vehicles and will take away any garbage they produce.

The new location will mean a loss of about 20 parking spaces, but the local BIA believes that will be offset by an increase in business for area shops.

The market is expected to move to its permanent location in March.