Bad news

[triber]

Well, I woke up this morning to the news that the main building in the St. Jacobs market Ontario has been destroyed by fire. I have about $3000 worth of sweaters there to sell on consignment. I don't even know if they will want to start up the business again.

I have tried selling my hand knit sweaters on eBay, but they don't sell very well, it is much better when people can see them and not just pictures. A hard day for many of the vendors there who have lost a lot, plus their jobs.

[pierrelebel]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/story/2013/09/02/waterloo-st-jacobs-fire.html

That is terrible news.

Back in the 1980's when we live in Waterloo, we used to visit the St Jacob's market regularly.

Hopefully, your monetary loss is covered by insurance.

[triber]

Thank you Pierre, this is going to be a big loss to the community, and this is the busiest time of year. We don't know about insurance yet. I just sent an email to the people who sell the sweaters to say how sorry I was, but it's much too early to ask other questions.

We go to the market every week, and I have been selling sweaters there for 30 years. Our oldest son helped build that building about 28 years ago.

[julieo459]

That is terrible news. I used to live in KW and shopped at the market a lot.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

OW! Every seller's worst nightmare.

[bb_cool_stuff]

At least no one was hurt.

Stock can be replaced.

Hopefully there was insurance.

[triber]

Yes, I agree, that is the most important.

I think the building would be insured, but each vendor would need to have their own insurance, I am hoping the one that sold the sweaters had it. I feel sorry for the people who rely on the sales for their livelihood.

[bb_cool_stuff]

Yes, you have to feel for everyone that lost their stock.

Must be devasting.

[pierrelebel]

"Must be devasting."

It is.  Not just for the vendors at the market and those who lost products but everyone in this small community.

The market attracted people to town.  Once there, they would visit  local restaurants like the Stone Crock, other retailers like Country Bulk, St Jacob's Furnishings, Quilted Heirlooms, etc...

What will happen to those businesses and their employees without the tourist traffic generated by the market?

[bb_cool_stuff]

You beat me to it Pierre.

Yes, the secondary market will be affected with the drop in traffic.

Everyone Hurts especially with the Silly Season just around the corner.

[triber]

At least the produce stalls will still be operating, and the building at the back was undamaged, so at least these are positives. At this time of year the produce is wonderful and the market is crowded. I am going to have to find somewhere else to purchase my summer sausage!

[nan*55]

Something like this is devastating to a community. Hopefully they can rebuild and business can continue!!!

[farmingnorth]

When I woke up this morning I saw the coverage on CBC and my heart sank.  What a terribly loss for the community and those that made their living from the market.  Being from Toronto we visit a few times a year and it's our favorite place to pick up fresh fruits/veggies, some great treats and to browse the selection of various goodies.

As mentioned above glad no one was hurt and that it occured overnight.  What a tragedy but I'm sure the community will rally and rebuild.  I look forward to being one of the first to visit when everything reopens!

[westernstargifts]

What terrible news!

That makes 2 of my favourite places that have burned to the ground this year.  The other one was Dunkeld Restaurant near Walkerton where we frequently dined with good friends.

My heart goes out to the vendors and to the community.

[triber]

Yes, I think everyone is in shock. The outside marked it opening tomorrow in sites away from the burned building, so that is good. I talked to the vendor who sells my sweaters today, and he said that it could be 6-9 months before a new building is up and running. I hope the community will come together to get it up more quickly than that, a lot of people need to get back to selling.