A new community market is set to debut on the city's west side on Saturday, July 26. Fenkell Street Market is the culmination of a partnership between TechTown's SWOT City program, the Brightmoor Alliance, and the University of Windsor. The market allows members of the Brightmoor community the opportunity to bring their home-based businesses out and into market.

After students of the University of Windsor business school conducted a feasibility study on building a food co-operative in Brightmoor, it was recommended that a community market would better serve the neighborhood. Students from that university work in Brightmoor every semester.

While the original recommendation was for a bricks-and-mortar operation akin to the Russell Bazaar, an open air market will be held on the fourth Saturday of every month through October. SWOT City and Brightmoor Alliance are currently working to secure funding for a fixed building.

Ted Jones, associate portfolio manager for SWOT City, is looking to recruit at least 15 vendors for the market's first run. Music and free barbecue food will be on site. Vendors will feature local makers and entrepreneurs who typically operate out of their homes, including makers of craft greeting cards, candles, soap, and salsa. The Brightmoor Woodworkers will also be on hand.

"When we first came to the neighborhood, we got the data on the number of businesses around. It was way higher than what you could spot with the eyeball test just driving around the neighborhood," says Jones. "There are a lot of businesses run out of people's homes."

It's an opportunity for residents to open up shop in a venue that has a low barrier of entry.

Taking place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, Fenkell Street Market is located at 20101 Fenkell St.

Source: Ted Jones, Associate Portfolio Manager at SWOT City
Writer: MJ Galbraith

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