The closing of the Market on Macleod at the end of October is an upsetting event for many Calgarians.
Simone Grant said it is “absurd” to close down a place that helps support local businesses in place of more condos, especially considering Calgary’s real estate market isn’t exactly booming.
“Are we seriously closing a farmers’ market for more condos?” said Grant.
“We’re taking money away from people for what? It’s not like this extra housing is going to benefit anyone.”
The market closed to make way for condo development on the site, which is on the west side of Macleod Trail South, just north of Heritage Drive S.W.
According to Grant, this move only diminishes opportunities for local vendors to grow their businesses. She believes that Calgary should have more farmers’ markets and fewer condos.
“I came from a family of local business owners. I’ve seen how devastating it can be to have that opportunity taken away,” said Grant.
The announcement of the closure came as the city’s largest market announced in September that it was planning on opening a new location near Canada Olympic Park (COP) on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
The new location will be 50,000-square-feet in size and is set to open in the spring of 2020. The new development will be called Calgary Farmers’ Market West.
“I think it’s cool that they are opening a new one, but I don’t get why they wouldn’t just save the money and utilize the already existing one,” said Nate Bernstein.
“This will either be beneficial for the community or [it will be] another business set up to fail,” he continued.
While there are a few skeptics of the new development, other Calgarians are thrilled to finally have a market close to home.
“I live in the deep north, and while I would love to shop local, the drive (to the southside markets) was just too long,” said Angie Mertens, who can’t wait for the new market to open.
“I love the atmosphere of markets. I used to go [to markets] often,” she said.
“After having kids it’s just too busy to go all the way to the other side of the city.”
Mertens also believes this move will benefit small business owners that are further north.
“Perhaps this will make it easier for them to come out and sell their products.”
