340 replies to this topic

[smartstart]

Have a look at the "about" page...it provides context for the name, it's rather fitting IMHO

 

http://victoriapubli...bout/our-story/

 

In 1860, The Hudson Bay’s Company announced they would provide Victoria with land to create a public market, but this never came to fruition. The next year, private citizens took saw this entrepreneurial opportunity and formed the Victoria Public Market Company. The public protested this as profits would go to private speculators, but the building of the small 12-stall market proceeded anyways in July 1861 on the corner of Broad and Fort Street. Unfortunately, the company declared bankruptcy after only two months and the space was converted to a dance house. Partially attributing to this failure was the difficulty for farmers to bring goods into town on the terrible roads. The public still wanted a market, even though they hadn’t fully supported it at the time.

[aastra]

 

In typical Victorian fashion, people have to complain about what it is not. Yeah, it's not Pike's Place or Granville Island...

 

Victoria is too much like Vancouver one minute and not enough like Vancouver the next.

[aastra]

 

The public still wanted a market, even though they hadn’t fully supported it at the time.

 

Lather, rinse, repeat, for the next 160 years.

[LJ]

Wasn't the Johnston St. market a public market originally?

[Gary H]

Public Market changes...

 

The biggest old news is that the grocer relocated from the very back of the market to the front, next to Silk Road Tea.  Ironically, once Hudson Walk opens it would have been more convenient for those shoppers if the store remained on the east side.  In any case, the grocer likes their new location much better.  The Teriyaki and Roll place is relatively new.  I picked up some Mexican to go from La Cocina - which was really good.  Hopefully the new Townline towers will give this place enough critical mass to make it more vibrant besides just lunch hour.

 

 

 

 

[Bernard]

to me the market feels like an upscale food court for the trendy urbanites - there is nothing there that I can afford

[nagel]

to me the market feels like an upscale food court for the trendy urbanites - there is nothing there that I can afford

Have you considered getting some of your meals at Our Place?

[Bernard]

Have you considered getting some of your meals at Our Place?

No I have not

[nagel]

No I have not

Free coffee all day according to VHF.

[VicHockeyFan]

Free coffee all day according to VHF.

 

... and goodies at the "nutrition bar".

 

Our Place offers a nutrition bar where people can find hot coffee or tea, baked goods, and fruit to help sustain them throughout the day.

 

 

https://www.ourplace...w-we-help/meals

[Bernard]

btw, I have heard that many of the leases are up in September and a number of the businesses are not going to renew

[VicHockeyFan]

btw, I have heard that many of the leases are up in September and a number of the businesses are not going to renew

 

At the Market?

 

Despite a very hefty (expensive) professional marketing campaign, the place is not very busy.

[nagel]

Yes time to get out just as hundreds of new residents move in.

[VicHockeyFan]

Yes time to get out just as hundreds of new residents move in.

 

Ya, but those residents are not going to make the place.  You'd be surprised at how big a community you need to support commercial enterprises.  1,000 residents will not do it.  Consider that 25,000 residents live north of University Heights, and south of Mount Doug, but they only marginally support the Save On Foods, Thriftys and Fairways there, and those are grocers with staples.

 

The Market is hardly supplying that.

[Bernard]

I was told by someone that manages one of the spaces many leases are coming up in September and many businesses are ready to walk away

[jonny]

At $10 an ounce I'm sure you can afford a sandwich, Bernard.

The Market has been close to death for years according to some. What's that saying about wolves and crying?

[Wally]

Ya, but those residents are not going to make the place.  You'd be surprised at how big a community you need to support commercial enterprises.  1,000 residents will not do it.  Consider that 25,000 residents live north of University Heights, and south of Mount Doug, but they only marginally support the Save On Foods, Thriftys and Fairways there, and those are grocers with staples.

 

The Market is hardly supplying that.

 

The grocery store at the Hudson doesn't carry enough variety of items to be anything more than a grab and go. I work downtown and often grab a bite at the Hudson. I have never had to stand in line at any of the food outlets and other than the noon rush most are dead. I don't think that a few more people living or working in that area will make enough of a difference.

[Nparker]

... I don't think that a few more people living or working in that area will make enough of a difference.

So it's better to just let the space die a slow death and become a vacant hole in downtown?

[Jason-L]

Well, I'm sure a dispensary will move into the vacuum.

[Nparker]

Well, I'm sure a dispensary will move into the vacuum.

Just the one? There must be room (not to mention a "need") for at least half a dozen in this space.