Silver and Gold Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 26

silvergoldmagazine.ca TRAVEL ST. JACOBS MARKET REVISITED – By Marianne Vogel Do you remember the devastating fire at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market a couple of years ago? (Sept. 2013) Out of the ashes has risen a renewed market that was state-of-the-art and lovingly rebuilt using the same traditional post and beam method, and inludes a new layout for the vendors. The temporary building that was erected that Christmas has been turned into another vendor and shoppers’ paradise, making the market bigger and better than ever! Despite popular belief, the market was never closed, with The Peddler’s Village remaining open as it was untouched by the fire. Since we enjoy it so, and in order to support the town and its vendors and farmers, we kept up by continuing to offer trips to the beloved St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. What’s new at the Market? Although the Market is much larger and in many ways better than it used to be, by contrast some may also find the nostalgic feel quite different – but the Mennonite farmers still come by horse and buggy to sell their wares. Gotta love that! The new building is feeling some growing pains as new vendors and old favourites continue to arrive and set up, but one huge positive bonus is the wonderful new elevator, which allows for improved accessibility for those who need the extra help in visiting the second level. Some vendors are also setting up in the new domed building which was put up to replace the ashes left by the 2013 fire, while other vendors chose to wait and stay in the new building. With vendors in both buildings, the visiting pleasure is doubled and the foot traffic simplified. Outside, more and more farmers and vendors can be found, with items varying from “soup to nuts”