Annual Home Business and Makers Market Makes Mother’s Day Bright

Annual Home Business and Makers Market Makes Mother’s Day Bright

Rosanne Fortier -News Correspondent

The Annual Home Business and Makers Market was held at Senior Citizen Sunshine Club Centre of Vegreville on May 1.

This market offered a one-stop venue for spring shopping where there were 18 local vendors from Vegreville, Two Hills, Mundare, Edmonton and Legal who were selling commercial products like Scentsy and Epicure, as well as, sewing products, glass and woodworking crafts, artisans items as well as food vendors such as Andy’s Beef Jerky, Ukrainian/Polish food, and Filipino food.

Organizer Jennifer Hladilo said this market is a revamped/smaller version of the annual home business trade show. “We are working with the Vegreville Farmers Market that is normally held at the Elks Hall and are therefore classified as a ‘market’ which the government still considers an essential service. We hold this market twice a year, to be able to sell our products, and to get the members of the community out and about. It’s always been a great place to shop, support local, and visit.

Prescilla Barleta was selling homemade desserts she made.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

“This year, however, we encouraged people to shop with a purpose, check us out, make their purchase and carry on to enjoy the rest of the day. As well, we always try to do some community support. This market, the new Pet Valu Store had some volunteers on site promoting their fundraising campaign. Also, this market was a great place to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift, or any gift for a special someone, neighbours, friend, or random gift of kindness you want to give someone.”

Hladilo said due to social distancing regulations; they limited the number of vendors to 20, and only had one table per vendor. The protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic that were in place included hand sanitizer was given out at the entry, room capacity directional flow of traffic around the room, sanitizer wipes at every table, designated entry/exit only doors, contract tracing and social distancing were set up.

Families shop at the market.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

“We had several communications with AHS and Alberta Agriculture to make sure we were planning and doing things the right way!”

Pet Valu was volunteering to do the COVID-19 protocols at the entry of the market. Amanda Rutherford, Manager of Pet Valu said they gave out goodie bags to the first 100 people at the door. Pet Valu also accepted donations for their pet food bank program called Pet Valu Donation Drive.

As well, Dwayne Hlady, President of Sunshine Club and his crew volunteered to help set up this market.