Coming Soon! Mill Market to Attract Locals and Tourists With Local Foods And Handicrafts

Selling fresh, seasonal farm products direct to consumers is not new to the Algoma region, but what breaks new ground at Mill Market is a convenient, indoor site where consumers and local producers can build relationships in a central community gathering space. Located at 35 Canal Drive across from the historic Sault Canal, Mill Market aims to be this gathering place, where locals and tourists alike can find farm-fresh food, culinary treats and beautiful handicrafts.

Mill Market will be home to farmer, food, and craft vendors, and social programming, including a community garden. "The market aims to be a place to celebrate Algoma District," explained Justus Veldman of Riversedge Developments and Mill Square Inc.

"Mill Market will be a place to celebrate all the great things grown, raised, and crafted in Algoma. We truly want this to be a place for the community and visitors to gather, where you can buy fresh, local vegetables direct from a farmer, take your kids to see animals, and listen to local musicians."

Mill Market will be located at the Municipal Fish Hatchery building on the St. Mary's River until moving to its final home at Mill Square, the former St. Mary's Paper site. Across from the Francis H. Clergue Generating Station and Whitefish Island, the Fish Hatchery location offers 13,000 square feet of indoor space with 15 acres of property, ample parking, and easy accessibility via Canal Drive and the city-wide Hub Trail.

Whether arriving by car, bus or bike, this new market location is ideal for local and visiting tourists alike, providing an atmosphere to socialize and enjoy the beauty of Sault Ste. Marie's Canal District. Those looking for a quick grocery stop at the farmers market will likely stay a while to socialize with friends or spend the afternoon exploring Canal District. Walking distance from Sault Ste. Marie's downtown accommodation, visitors to the area will find opportunities to learn more about Algoma's agriculture, food shed and arts community, and socialize with "Sault-ites."

Despite the North's slightly shorter growing season, Algoma's agricultural community provides a bounty of seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs and meats. Mill Market's agricultural and artisan vendors will sell their products twice a week beginning June 4th, 2014, when the market officially opens. The Farmers Market will take place Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, with a Flea Market open Sundays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

In addition to farm-fresh products, Mill Market will include local artisans and musicians, community gardens and live animals. It also aims to be a location for community programming and education, the market encourages anyone with ideas or opportunities for the market space to contact Mill Market Manager, Alison Lynes.

"A lot of great ideas for community programming have come forward, including hosting flea markets or craft sales; operating a community kitchen; having a small petting zoo for farm animals; and community gardening programs. We're always looking for new ideas and opportunities at the market, creating a place for locals to socialize and visitors to explore," explained Alison.

Community members interested in volunteering at Mill Market have plenty of opportunities to participate at the grassroots level and can contact Alison Lynes, Mill Market Manager at (705) 257 9658 or alison@millmarket.ca. Visitors to Algoma can learn more about Algoma's agriculture, food and arts community by visiting Mill Market at 35 Canal Drive on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning this June.

For more information on Mill Market, including vendor or volunteer opportunities and market hours, please visit www.millmarket.ca. For more information on the Mill Square Development (former St. Mary's Paper site) please visit www.millsquare.ca and our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/millmarket.

About Mill Square

The development framework for Mill Square is designed to amplify markets for local business and provide viable opportunities for private sector commercial tenants through a mixed-use platform that emphasizes dynamic urban density to create new market opportunities. As a place-making development, Mill Square blends commercial, cultural, and institutional activity that builds towards the creation of vibrant social spaces that will evolve as the development progresses. A vibrant mixed use urban village development set in the historical Mill district and founded on the Algoma region's natural wealth in the arts, culture and wilderness experience.

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