How disappointing that the Qualicum Beach town council has allowed the Saturday Farmers Market people to have another opening on Wednesday nights.
I volunteered at the Thursday evening street events last summer which were hosted by the Qualiucm Beach Downtown Business Association and I know how hard the local merchants worked to stay open until 9 p.m. and display their wares in front of their shops. The QBDBA intended to extend the market one more block up to Jones Street this year.
Each Thursday evening, local musicians provide entertainment for visitors. It is also an opportunity for both residents and summer guests to browse through shops that they might not normally frequent during the daytime. Many local craft people also participated in some or all of these evenings.
The farmers market folks should join forces with the QBDBA Thursday night openings and pay the nominal amount for having a stall. This would benefit both groups by creating an even more lively event.
Parksville has the Tuesday Craig Street Market and the Friday Night Museum Farmers Market, so there is already a lot of competition in our Oceanside area during the summer time.
Shop local first. Support the Qualicum Beach downtown merchants. Their success is in everyone’s best interest.
Laurene EbbettQualicum Beach