337 replies to this topic

[HB]

Like a few years ago when the place was covered in scaffolding and a windstorm blew some of it and chunks of lumber and plywood to the street below

[HB]

Checked it out today and report great disappointment this is not how I envision a Public Market this is jus a food court like in a mall without tables it's dark dank and boring


In fact the tsawassen Ferry terminal is more of a public market than what I saw today


The people or person who envisioned or planned this should have visited Pike Place Market,Granville Island and Lonsdale Quay to se what makes a market


The above mentioned places are vibrant and full of life and colour and a huge variety of goods not just food

2 thumbs down from me

[VicHockeyFan]

Checked it out today and report great disappointment this is not how I envision a Public Market this is jus a food court like in a mall without tables it's dark dank and boring


In fact the tsawassen Ferry terminal is more of a public market than what I saw today


The people or person who envisioned or planned this should have visited Pike Place Market,Granville Island and Lonsdale Quay to se what makes a market

I think it's a bit barren too. They simply don't have the square-footage to have a decent market. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Bingo]

Checked it out today and report great disappointment

Me too...I'm sure not going to go downtown to buy turnips there, when I can go to the Root Cellar for a real market. Saw lots of people looking not much buying.

[gumgum]

It needs time. It will be better.

[aastra]

I'm sure not going to go downtown to buy turnips there, when I can go to the Root Cellar...

I assume you're not driving through the centre of town past the Bay to get out to the Root Cellar?

[HB]

Me too...I'm sure not going to go downtown to buy turnips there, when I can go to the Root Cellar for a real market. Saw lots of people looking not much buying.

Today there wernt any fresh veggies and I do not foresee much fresh local produce until next year as we are now heading inot the non growing season(s)

One of the venodrs told me its only a market for food no flowers no artisans big mistake. Tourist whom they hope will flock there will probably be confused

A market should have a cornucopia of vendors and I agree with you I can get more variety at the Market on Millstrean everything from food to beeswax candles to flowers and nicknacks.

[Rob Randall]

On an interview they said they were still waiting for a greengrocer. That's the key tenant.

[jonny]

The girlfriend and I stopped by there Saturday and we thought it was awesome. Two thumbs way up to Townline. Bought some delicious produce, including some phenomenal strawberries, as well as some honey and salsa. We were thoroughly impressed that such a set up was now at what used to be an absolutely barren neighbourhood of downtown Victoria.

We will be back, and are excited to try a meal at Sutra as well as some cooking seminars.

[Bob Fugger]

On an interview they said they were still waiting for a greengrocer. That's the key tenant.

Sounds like a supermarket would have been a better fit than a public market. Just sayin'. But then the monies would have leached away to THE CORPORATIONS and Philippe Lucas would have failed to earn his wings.

[D.L.]

For clarification, can anyone tell what is "public" about this market?

[Rob Randall]

Sounds like a supermarket would have been a better fit than a public market. Just sayin'. But then the monies would have leached away to THE CORPORATIONS and Philippe Lucas would have failed to earn his wings.

Although he never divulged to me any names, I know Bob Pearce from Townline turned over every rock to find a supermarket willing to blaze a trail in the Hudson but none wanted the space.

For clarification, can anyone tell what is "public" about this market?

"Public market" is an old-fashioned term. I assume it's to differentiate from wholesale markets (example) that only sell to commercial buyers.

[Mike K.]

They're at the mercy of tenants. So long as the only tenants offer food that's all that will be available.

But did I read that right, there's no seating inside the market? In other words, everything you buy has to be to-go?

[jonny]

But did I read that right, there's no seating inside the market? In other words, everything you buy has to be to-go?

There was seating on Saturday. I don't know if this is permanent or not, but there is certainly plenty of room for seating.

This space would be a terrible location for a grocery store. It's no surprise at all to me that Townline couldn't find a grocery tenant. Grocery stores need lots of dedicated and convenient parking, which is simply impossible at this space. Even the Market on Yates has some dedicated parking, and the on street parking on Yates and Quadra is miles ahead of what's available on Douglas, Fisgard and Herald.

[HB]

They're at the mercy of tenants. So long as the only tenants offer food that's all that will be available.

It was one of the tenants that told me that they are only allowed to sell food items. There will be no vendors there selling anything other than food due to the agreement to be there

[G-Man]

I went yesterday and apart from poor form on not opening at 9:30 as was indicated on the website this place was great. Yes it needs some more tenants to come in but at least three seem to be just about there. The quality of the place was far higher than I thought it would be.

I am especially looking forward to the seafood vendor. Big thumbs up though overall.

[Mr_E_Squirrel]

Closed on Mondays???... went to day assuming it would be open... It's a Public Market. People were bouncing off the front doors like starlings on a freshly cleaned window...

[Sparky]

^ That was funny.

[Mike K.]

Here' something strange.

The market's sign says Victoria Public Market, the name of the organization that runs the public market is Victoria Downtown Public Market Society, and the website interchangeably refers to the market as Victoria Public Market at the Hudson, the Public Market, and Victoria Public Market.

I can understand not wanting to use ...at the Hudson with every reference to the market, but if you're calling it Victoria Public Market one minute it shouldn't be called Public Market the next. The marketing folks behind the website should start cleaning up these inconsistencies now that the doors have opened.

And regarding the Monday closure, why would you deny your retailers four or five business days of every month? In a day and age when virtually every retail business is open on Sundays some establishments are going to start closing on Mondays instead? Weird.

[mikesevigny]

Lots of places open Saturdays seem to close Mondays. I'm okay if, say, Choux Choux or Fairfield Fish & Chips does it (that's actually not true, I forget about Fairfield all the time and it's always a horrible realization) but it doesn't seem like such a good idea for a larger undertaking like this.