Red Deer is getting another year-round, weekly market.
Perky Peddler Market will hold its first market on May 8 in the parking lot outside the former Safeway at Parkland Mall. The Monday market will run 2 to 7 p.m., but on holiday Mondays it will be 12 to 5 p.m.
Organizer Matt van der Heide said his market will be similar to the seasonal Saturday Red Deer Public Market.
“We would have a lot of the same type of vendors. But we also allow commercial brands to be a part of it so it’s more trade show-like with that sort of farmers market feel,” said van der Heide, of Lacombe.
The only other year-round, weekly market in Red Deer is Garden City Market held at Pioneer’s Lodge on Thursdays.
He said Perky Peddler Market will operate inside Parkland Mall once the weather turns cold. Indoor space is available until Nov. 6. It may be able to operate additional Mondays after that date, but it will reopen inside the mall in January.
Van der Heide said holding the market on Mondays will fill a gap for vendors and operating into the early evening will give more people access.
“There are a lot of 9 to 1 markets out there and I have heard a lot of vendors not being satisfied with that time because you’re limited to seniors and stay-at-home parents and not getting that after-work crowd. We get the best of both worlds. We’ve got that rush hour traffic driving by seeing the market.”
He said judging by the number of vendors that have already been in contact, Perky Peddler will have at least 60 vendors.
Perky Peddler will have people selling things like fresh produce, but it’s a more inclusive market by allowing for a variety of vendors, he said.
“Just because someone is representing a brand, they are still working from home and still supporting their family and still need a venue to promote their product and that’s what we’re doing.”
Van der Heide said he is reaching out to Calgary and Edmonton to expand the number of vendors on site for holiday Mondays — beginning with Victoria Day on May 22 — that will be family events with fun activities.
“We have five holiday Mondays from now to the end of the year when we get to promote it as even more.”
F0r more information visit Perky Peddler Market on Facebook.
Red Deer Public Market will re-open for the season on May 20 in front of the Memorial Centre.
The ATB Financial Downtown Market, a farmers market, will reopen May 31 on Little Gaetz Avenue.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com