City to re-examine rules after red tape tied up debut of public market on Stony Plain Road
Stony Plain Road’s first attempt at a true public market this summer was stymied by red tape at City Hall.
Seniors and students wanting to sell handicrafts and artwork for a few hours a week were still required to buy a business licence, a permit and insurance in addition to paying for vendor space, said Diane Kereluk, the Stony Plain Road business association director.
She had nearly 25 vendors step up in the spring, but only five or six could actually make it work.
“We had some artisans, but it was tough. I couldn’t say I could see them making a return,” said Kereluk, who has been
building this public market idea for years. It’s a cornerstone of the association’s plan to draw new crowds and revitalize the business district.
But addressing this red tape would help across the city, she said. “If we really want people on the street, we have to make it more vendor friendly.”
