Room to grow

Riverview

Lord Roberts

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This article was published 16/07/2025 (300 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to markets, its a case of ‘the more, the merrier’ in South Osborne this summer.

On July 7, Riverview Community Centre (90 Ashland Ave.) held its first Monday market. Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the dozen vendors and community members who came to check the inaugural market out.

“I’m hoping to make it a fun environment to eat or hang out with your neighbourhood buddies,” said market co-ordinator Emma Grandmont, who grew up in the neighbourhood. “We want it to be friendly, inclusive, and fun. It would be great to have people sharing their crafts and music.”

On opening day, visitors could enjoy fresh lemonade while munching on corn on the cob, while other vendors sold teas, jewelry, baking, local themed T-shirts, 3D-printed artworks, and more.

“Every one of the vendors, as far as I know, will be a weekly vendor unless something changes,” Grandmont said. “What’s great about the space that we have is there is so much room for growth. So I’m trying to get the word out, trying to build the relationships with these vendors. We’re still getting tons of applications. For Aug. 25, we already have 18 vendors. I’m hoping we can get 30 by the end of it, to fill the whole rink.”

While a CSA (community supported agriculture) vendor is currently not part of the mix, organizers are hoping to either add one by the end of the season, or lock one (or more) in for next year. Live music is also in the works.

Riverview’s Monday market aims to run from 4 to 8 p.m. weekly through Aug. 25. Follow @riverview.markets on Instagram or visit riverviewcc.ca for more information.

Meanwhile, every Wednesday the South Osborne Farmers’ Market takes place at Lord Roberts Community Centre (725 Kylemore Ave.) from 4 to 8 p.m. The weekly market, a project run by the Fireweed Food Co-op, has been running for nearly a decade, and features approximately 30 different vendors, food trucks, a beer garden serving local craft beer, and buskers performing live music each week.

“We’re supporting about 74 local businesses so far this season,” said Cortney Ramsay, market co-ordinator for Fireweed Food Co-op. Ramsay noted that some vendors are there each week, some rotate, and some drop in casually for a week here or there. “We have a lot of musicians who play who come from the neighbourhood.”

The market has become a part of the neighbourhood’s weekly routine throughout the summer months.

“The biggest key is recognizing its place as a community space,” Ramsay said. “It’s meant for everybody. You can come get your groceries, but you can also come hang out, have a drink, see your neighbours. We include kids, with activities and games for them, and we also try to foster special events.”

One upcoming special event is a clothing swap on July 30, where folks can bring clean, unwanted clothing to the market, and maybe leave with something new to them. Fireweed also offers a pay-it-forward program, whereby folks can donate funds, which are converted into tokens that can be picked up at the info booth, no questions asked, and used to purchase goods from vendors.

“Similarly, we are partnered with Direct Farm Manitoba this year, which is sort of the same thing,” Ramsay said. “They issue currency to the communities they serve so they can spend that at the market, as well.”

The South Osborne Farmers Market will run each Wednesday this summer until Oct. 15.

“The season just keeps getting extended every year,” Ramsay said. “Why not keep it going?”

Visit @sofarmersmarket on Instagram or fireweedfoodcoop.ca for more information.