The COVID-19 pandemic was tough on businesses, both big and small but it was the small businesses that really needed a boost once restrictions on social gatherings began to lift. Two years ago, Olivia Settle and her sister-in-law, Katie Wilkens, decided they wanted to do something to help.
“Katie and I were both very interested in creating an event that could be very accessible for all sorts of independent makers and small business owners,” Settle said.
That’s when they decided to create what is now The Fenwick Market and Trunk Sale. Settle described the market as giving new small business owners “an opportunity to start or to try and sell their product in a really comfortable environment.”
A key was to make the event affordable to participants, Settle said, so vendors are well positioned to succeed. In addition, every effort is made to avoid duplication of products.
“We curate our market very specifically as to have no competitive people,” Settle said. “The whole point of it … has been so that the vendors do well.”
This year’s event – the third annual – takes place on May 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days at 1135 Centre St. in Fenwick. And as it has since the beginning, the site is the family home for Settle.
Wilkens, meanwhile, said the market has evolved since it started.
“Every year we try to expand in some small way, by adding value without having to raise the price,” Wilkens said. “This year, we're doing a bookstore, like an outdoor space where authors can come and show their books.”
They have also added activities for children into the mix and are currently running a colouring contest. There are three age groups for the contest: 4-7, 8-12 and 13-18. Winners in each category will be revealed at the event.
It’s not just the vendors who will benefit from the market. It is also a fundraiser for Wellspring Niagara. Cancer is something that has touched the lives of the two women. Olivia’s father, Ernie Wilkens, passed away from cancer in December 2022.
“We think cancer is something that probably affects everyone in a small or big way,” Wilkens said. “I think it's safe to say that everyone's kind of been touched by that.”
Settle agreed, adding that her family was fortunate to have support through her father’s cancer journey.
“When you have a cancer diagnosis in your family, you don't know where to turn, there doesn't really seem to be a lot of answers. It's very overwhelming,” she said. “To find out that there's a group that can help you with that, that offers services to support people who are lost, especially people who don't have as big families.”
Jacqueline Ireland, community engagement and events co-ordinator for Wellspring, said the organization is happy to be a part of the market.
“They wanted us to be a part of the market, more than just the proceeds coming to us,” Ireland said. “They wanted to let people know that Wellspring was there [for them] and what we did.”
And with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, Wellspring has put a renewed focus on raising awareness of what they have to offer families and individuals living with cancer.
“Cancer rates are rising, and we want people to know we are here,” Ireland said. “We're here to provide these services. We have cancer exercise, we have counseling, all kind of things.”
For more information on the market or to download the colouring contest page, visit www.thefenwickmarket.ca
