THUNDER BAY – The historic Eaton’s building in Thunder Bay’s north downtown core will soon echo once again with the sound of shoppers, as a multi-vendor market plans to open its doors in the summer of 2021.
Occupying a 13,000 square foot section of the building at the corner of Court Street and Red River Road, the Goods & Co. Market will offer 35 permanent vendor spaces, a common area, fully functioning bar, and a small event/workshop space.
The market will showcase food, art, crafts, and other goods from local vendors, with healthy grab-and-go food options, said owner Maelyn Hurley.
Hurley founded the successful Craft Revival that has brought thousands to the same area of the downtown biannually in recent years.
While she couldn’t deny some trepidation at launching a new business, particularly during a pandemic, she said she was confident there was a growing demand for locally-produced goods.
“I think the shop local movement is at an all-time high right now, and we’ve seen over the last five or six years what kind of crowds the Craft Revival can bring to the waterfront district,” she said. “I think there’s a huge interest in supporting local and understanding how things are made in the North.”
Producers themselves seem to think so, as well – Hurley’s already had enough interest to fill about half of the 35 spaces, she said, and anticipates having a waitlist.
An advisory board will help select a diverse range of businesses to fill the spots, but Hurley expects shoppers will find hand-crafted products including jewlery, woodworking, and pottery, along with local apparel, food, and refreshments.
Several other businesses are also expected to open elsewhere in the building.
Hurley, whose partner owns The Foundry pub across the street, said getting the iconic building bustling again is a big deal for the downtown.
“I think it’s just going to be really exciting to see energy and life and people back in the Eaton’s building,” she said. “We’ve basically stared at this vacant building for the last six to eight years. The downtown community has been really wanting to see something happen with it.”
A soft launch of the market’s online presence, along with a call for vendors, is set for this weekend.
The 82-year-old building was sold to a local ownership group in 2019. Since being vacated by Eaton’s in 1997, it had hosted the Definitely Superior Art Gallery, call centres, and a fitness centre in recent years.
