1) Different vendors each week at the pop-up container market
The five containers at the pop-up container market can be rented for a week at a time and up to three weeks throughout the market season. Some vendors have signed up for multiple weeks, but there will be a variety of vendors week after week. Definitely something for everyone! Located at the Kin Hut at the front parking lot of the Petawawa Civic Centre (beside the baseball diamond and McGuire’s Doughnuts food truck – you can’t miss it). The pop-up container market is eligible for vendor use from Tuesday to Sunday with most vendors open from 10:00 until 17:00 (some vendors may close earlier depending on the day and weather). Check out the social media posts each week to see who will be “Popping Up!”
2) Special events
The Town of Petawawa will have special events from time to time in addition to the pop-up container market. This includes special events like the Petawawa Ramble in October, which marks the end of the pop-up container market season. Side note on the Petawawa Ramble, there are so many different activities being held during the Ramble, many of which are fun for the entire family – my personal favourite is seeing all of the pumpkin folks!
Another example of a special event was during the opening weekend the travelling Beavertail food truck was situated in the same location as the pop-up container market. For those who are not aware, Killaloe is the birthplace of the Beavertail.
Keep your eyes peeled for the special events that will be hosted throughout the season and can be found on the Town of Petawawa’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
3) A chance to socialize
One of the reasons that I love going to markets is because I love socializing with the other attendees and the vendors. To me, it is absolutely fascinating to hear how people got to where they are and what inspired their journey. I popped by the pop-up container market on 25 June. I was fortunate to be able to talk with all of the vendors present that day, including Rare Bird Studios and Phoenix Rising Art. Rare Bird Studios is comprised of an extremely creative mother & daughter team. Seriously, go check out my reel on Instagram that I made for the pop-up container market and you will see what I mean!
When I was speaking with Christy from Phoenix Rising Artworks, it felt as if I was talking with a friend that I had known for years. A fun fact about Phoenix Rising Artworks, they sell these wicked reusable water balloons! Not only are they environmentally friendly, but you don’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to fill and then tie the tiny balloons – just soak them and then throw them! I picked up six when I was at the pop-up container market and they are perfect for those hot summer days!
There is something about legally being able to socialize with people (while respecting public health measures) that just breathes so much life into me! I will never take for granted again being able to chat with people whom are not in my household – you know what I mean?!
4) Supporting Local & Small Business
The pandemic really reinforced the importance of supporting local and supporting small businesses. When you support a small business, you are literally putting food on someone’s table; putting a child through dance lessons; and helping pay for home repairs, to name a few impacts. When you support a small business you are having a positive impact on someone’s life and the majority of the time, that money remains within the community having further positive impacts. During the pandemic, support from the local community enabled so many businesses to weather the storm (although, it goes without saying that many also had to permanently close their doors) and make it out on the other side. The pop-up container market is an excellent opportunity to not only meet a sampling of some local small entrepreneurial businesses but also support them!
I have said it before and I will say it again, the entrepreneurial spirit in the Ottawa Valley is second to no one. When I lived outside the Ottawa Valley, I knew maybe one small business owner. Since I have moved to the Ottawa Valley, I have met so many small business owners. It definitely blows my mind the number of small business owners that call the Ottawa Valley home. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of ingenuity and raw talent of Valley folks.
5) A Creative Solution – pop-up container market
It is no secret that the Town of Petawawa has limited retail space available for small boutique businesses. This is why the Town of Petawawa decided to create the pop-up container market after seeing it be a huge success in other locations and around the world. These 80 square foot containers give the makers/artisans/business owners a space to showcase and sell their goods. This is such a fantastic initiative and I foresee it being a huge success. I love that the Town of Petawawa has created a space for small business owners that allows them to be seen to potential new customers.
The Town of Petawawa also chose the best location for the pop-up container market. The pop-up container market is located at the Civic Centre where there are so many things to do like mini-putt; a kids playground; splash pad; batting cages; skateboard park; the construction yard bike park; community garden; and the Scentral Bark dog park – to name a few of the fantastic amenities at the Petawawa Civic Centre. It deserves a second mention that McGuire’s Doughnuts food truck is located right next to the pop-up container market. I’m obsessed with McGuire’s jelly-filled doughnuts. They’re just so darn tasty!
I am super impressed with the Town of Petawawa creating this opportunity for small businesses to have a retail space, connect with the public and build their clientele. I hope you take some time throughout the season to check out the pop-up container market and support a local business. It is absolutely worth your time!
Want more details about the pop-up container market? Get them here.
Pingback: Hiking Gems in the Ottawa Valley - ATV trails - Time in the Valley