The key word in public markets is “public,” because almost all privately owned “public market” experiments and development teasers that I have experienced and studied have failed, or are shrinking.By creating and selling crafts including silver jewellery at one of Canada’s oldest farmers markets, I graduated from university debt-free.After university I painted mainly outdoor murals in Vancouver; some were very well known.
When I moved to Victoria, the only all-organic farmers’ market was the Sunday Metchosin Farmers Market, 25 kilometres away. Value Village was the site, where we were promised windows onto the harbour and a large eating deck for the public. Imagine the view from that deck as if it were built. The Hudson Public Market in Victoria is slowly shrinking. It is privately owned and managed, without any farmer control or any public stewardship, despite the boldly displayed name Public Market on Douglas Street.
No other solution will see something like a Victoria version of Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market or the Granville Island Market, thriving enough to provide a genuine, long-lasting public amenity in Victoria West.