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Hudson building public market already half filled for 2013

Prospective tenants starting to fill spaces for next spring

With almost five months to go before a new food market opens for business in the Hudson Building, half the available retail space has been allocated.

The Victoria Downtown Public Market Society aims to launch the 18,000-square-foot market in April 2013.

“The exciting thing for me is the mix of established businesses and restaurateurs, as well as new and emerging businesses coming together,” said Philippe Lucas, society chair.

The market is being modelled after others such as the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Silk Road, Salt Spring Island Cheese and Wildfire Bakery are among the well-known businesses that have expressed interest in opening a kiosk, as have Island Spice Trade, Tortilleria Monterrey and Bounty Seafood.

Available for lease are day tables for farmers, as well as semi-permanent kiosks with one-year leases and permanent spaces with three-year leases.

The society will manage the market and has signed a contract with building owner Townline Group of Companies. A grant has also been secured from Vancity to create a community kitchen inside the market for cooking classes, special dinners and workshops.

“We plan to use the (area) not just as a retail space, but as a community meeting space and local food hub,” Lucas said.

For more information, visit victoriapublicmarket.com.

rholmen@vicnews.com