Oliver Street Market vendors Christy Steward and Isaac Steward from Dancing Goat Coffee say the best thing about being part of the downtown market is the people.
“Always different and you meet so many unique individuals,” Christy said.
“We get our regulars‚ and this is almost like having our own little coffee shop,” Isaac added. “The vendors are really great and everybody helps everybody out.”
Isaac explained that they started out selling their own roasted coffee at the market.
“We get our green beans from a supplier in Vancouver who does direct trade with farms they deal with, and roast them in our basement,” he said. “We were asked repeatedly for brewed coffee by the cup at the market so we changed things up. We also brought in things like chocolate-covered coffee beans and iced coffee.”
The market was moved from Gardner Park next to city hall to the old Courthouse Square at the corner of Oliver and 1st Avenue.
Vendor and board member Karen Thompson said that although they loved the ‚ green space‚ in the park, they wanted to be wheelchair accessible and needed room to expand.
“We are a friendly bunch of people who enjoy getting together every Friday evening to socialize, and to shop; we like to support,” she explained. “I love how we all help each other. It’s a great place for family and friends to gather on a Friday evening and it’s free.”
The market brings together community, producers, craftspeople, artisans, and musicians in a social downtown meeting place, according to Thompson, who said that she and her husband Clint Thompson look forward to the market every Friday.
“We get to showcase our San Jose Cattle Company ranch and meat products and enjoy this fun, social event,” she said.
“Oliver Street Market welcomes everyone to stop by and see what’s up, and in fact a young man who was visiting our town stopped in the shade to rest and play his guitar. He said the farmers market appeared‚ and he stayed and played for us; he said he thinks Williams Lake is an awesome town.”
She said that the expanding Oliver Street Market welcomes new vendors as well as musicians and people to provide children’s activities.
“We are a member of the B.C. Farmers Market Association, and to be a vendor the main requirement is that you are a local producer or are using local product to make your items.”
For more information call Terri at 250-296-4409 or Karen at 250-296-4592.