St. Jacobs Farmers' Market

File:Preserves, jams and pickled food at St. Jacobs Farmers Market, July 2011.jpg

The market was established in April 1975 by eight farmers,{{sfn|Davis|Desmond|2013}} who merged a three-owner stockyard based in Waterloo with a five-owner stockyard based in Kitchener.{{sfn|Desmond|2013}} The owners included Jim Wideman, Bruce Hertel {{sfn|Desmond|2013}} Jacob Shantz, Ross Shantz, and Milo Shantz; the Shantz families then managed the facility for over forty years. It was originally "just tents outside on the pavement".{{sfn|Desmond|2013}} In 1986, a two-storey {{convert|adj=on|24000|sqft|sqm}} heavy timber building was constructed on the site,{{sfn|Swayze|2013}}{{sfn|Desmond|2013}} the frame of which used 12"x12" Douglas fir beams from British Columbia.{{sfn|Toronto Sun: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market destroyed by fire}}

The market consisted of the Peddler's Village building for the flea market and some food vendors, smaller buildings each housing a single retailer, and an open area in which up to 150 food and produce vendors set up an outdoor shop from spring to autumn. The food and produce vendors operate in one of four classes: a grower, who only sell produce grown on their family farms; a grower/buyer, whose sales include at least 50% produce grown on their family farms, and the remainder the same produce purchased from other farms in Ontario; a co-op grower, who partner with local growers; and annual produce, who sell produce they did not grow, and may not sell produce that is in season in Ontario.{{sfn|Coppolino|2018}}

The two-storey food building, owned by Mercedes Corporation{{sfn|St. Jacobs market outdoor section to reopen this week after fire}} since the 1990s, was the central building of the market in which operated 68 vendors{{sfn|St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}} before its destruction by fire. On the lower level were food vendors, and on the upper level were located home decoration and crafts vendors.{{sfn|Desmond|2013}}

The site also has a livestock barn and petting barn.{{sfn|Toronto Sun: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market destroyed by fire}}

The market was managed by the Shantz family until 2017, when the more than 40 shareholders of Mercedes Corporation agreed to sell the market, St. Jacobs Outlets, Market Road Antiques, and the TSC store on Weber Street to Schlegel Urban Developments, with a closing date in early 2018.{{sfn|Davis|2017}}{{sfn|New owners for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market in 2018}}

File:St. Jacobs Farmers Market Fire 2013 (9663443481).jpg

The main building of the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market was destroyed by a fire on the morning of 2 September 2013.{{sfn|CBC: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage}} Forty-five firefighters from four stations were required to extinguish the fire.{{sfn|CBC: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage}} The fire did not harm any people, or the livestock in a nearby building.{{sfn|CTV: 'Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}} The fire caused about $2 million of damage to the building.{{sfn|Ellison|2013}} A fire alarm system had been installed in the building in early 2013, and a fire sprinkler system had been planned for installation.{{sfn|CTV: 'Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}} Woolwich Fire Department Chief Rick Pedersen said a fire sprinkler system could have prevented the building's destruction or minimized damage caused by the fire.{{sfn|St. Jacobs market outdoor section to reopen this week after fire}}

The fire did not affect the other buildings on the site,{{sfn|CBC: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage}} as the wind "was blowing the flames away from the surrounding buildings on the property".{{sfn|CTV: 'Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}}

Todd Cowan, the mayor of the township of Woolwich in which St. Jacobs is located, stated that the township would "fast-track the building site plans and the building permits" to rebuild the main building of the market.{{sfn|CBC: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage}} He also stated that the fire would have a "huge" economic impact on the community, and some vendors stated they would have to lay off employees as a result.{{sfn|CTV: 'Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}}

The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation established the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Vendor Relief Fund{{sfn|Community relief for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market vendors announced}} in order to raise funds "to help affected vendors offset uninsured losses", predicted to be about $750,000.{{sfn|Roof going up and over St. Jacobs Farmer’s market building}} This includes the purchase of replacement capital goods, and assisting laid off employees.{{sfn|Clark|2013}}

Several of the intact wood beams were salvaged from the site as mementos by Mercedes Corporation "just to remember the building".{{sfn|Demolition of main St. Jacobs Market building begins}} Some of the salvaged wood was purchased by an artist in Guelph, who used it to create furniture and other goods.{{sfn|Grant|2013}}

File:St. Jacobs Farmers' Market 2024.jpg

A temporary structure was erected on the site beginning in mid-October 2013.{{sfn|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building starting to take shape}} Metal legs were placed along the perimeter of the concrete foundation, an engineered steel roof frame was installed by crane, and a weatherproof textile cover stretched over it.{{sfn|Roof going up and over St. Jacobs Farmer’s market building}}{{sfn|Swayze|2013}}{{sfn|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building starting to take shape}} The {{convert|15600|sqft|m2}} dome-shaped structure was built on the same foundation as the original structure and opened on 12 December 2013.{{sfn|Lunny|2012}}{{sfn|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building opens Thursday}} Of the 60 vendors from the original building, 49 returned to the temporary structure; displaced food vendors moved into the Peddler's Village.{{sfn|Roof going up and over St. Jacobs Farmer’s market building}}{{sfn|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building opens Thursday}}

Construction of a permanent {{convert|34000|sqft|m2}} structure to replace the destroyed building was completed in 2015.{{sfn|Deschamps|2015}} {{sfn|Deschamps|2015}} Similar to the original main building, the Market Building houses food vendors on the lower level and artisan vendors on the upper level. Shoppers can find a variety of meats, cheeses, baked goods and local delicacies all in one stop. After the opening of the Market Building, it was decided that the temporary tent, erected on the foundation of the original main building would remain and currently houses 50 food, artisan and craft vendors.

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market inside 2024.jpg|Interior of the market in 2024

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market tent interior 2024.jpg|Market tent interior

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market Main courtyard 2024.jpg|Main courtyard

St. Jacobs Farmers' Market outdoor overview 2024.jpg|Outdoor market

File:St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours, July 2011.jpg

The St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours operates several horse-drawn trolley tours departing from the log cabin at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market. The Mennonite Farm Tours, which operates from mid April to the end of October, is a seventy-five-minute tour that includes an Old Order Mennonite farm, during which tourists are taught about Mennonite culture.{{sfn|Mennonite Farm Tours}} The Maple Sugar Bush Tours operates from the beginning of March to mid April, taking visitors to a nearby sugar bush to learn about maple syrup production.{{sfn|Maple Sugar Bush Tours}}

Waterloo Central Railway operates a seasonal steam train tour from Waterloo to the village of St. Jacobs and the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market. Trains run on Saturdays from March to October, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a shorter duration.{{sfn|Waterloo Central Railway}} The platform is at the eastern end of the site.

A 24 km on-road cycling tour operated by the Woolwich Cycling Group begins at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and loops around farms and the village of St. Jacobs, then returns to the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market.{{sfn|St. Jacobs Country Tour}}

File:Waterloo Central Railway Market stop.jpg]]

In the 1990s, the township of Woolwich received an application from the Future Group{{sfn|Ash|2000}} for the development of a power centre adjacent to the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market, at which would be based a Walmart, other retailers, and office space.{{sfn|Strathdee|1997}} The development was supported by the township of Woolwich council,{{sfn|Pink|2002}} and opposed by several citizen's groups and other parties, including Concerned Citizens of Woolwich Township, the city of Waterloo, the Waterloo Uptown Business Improvement Area, Hudson's Bay Company, and the residential development firm First Gulf Developments.{{sfn|McClinchey|Carmichael|2010|p=190}} The development was approved by Woolwich council on 23 September 1997.{{sfn|Gallagher|1998}}

An open house viewing of the plans and subsequent public discussion was held in St. James Lutheran Church in Elmira in January 2002. The opposing groups appealed the development at the Ontario Municipal Board in 2002, which rendered a decision in 2003 to allow construction of the power centre.{{sfn|McClinchey|Carmichael|2010|p=190}} Construction began in 2008.{{sfn|Howitt|2008}}

The city of Waterloo receives $340,000 annually from the power centre to compensate it for the power centre's "negative impacts on uptown Waterloo".{{sfn|Gallagher|1998}}

• St. Lawrence Market (Toronto)
• Kitchener Farmer's Market

{{reflist|3}}

{{refbegin|2}}

• {{cite news|title=Big box store proposal revised; Retail plan for site near St. Jacobs Farmers Market still faces opposition|last=Ash|first=Stacey|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=22 March 2000}}
• {{cite journal|url=http://www.jrcd.ca/viewarticle.php?id=398|journal=Journal of Rural and Community Development|title=Countryside capital, changing rural landscapes, and rural tourism implications in Mennonite country|last1=McClinchey|first1=Kelley A.|last2=Carmichael|first2=Barbara A.|year=2010|volume=5|issue=1|pages=178–199}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.570news.com/2013/10/29/relief-fund-now-open-for-st-jacobs-farmers-market-vendors/|title=Relief Fund now Open for St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Vendors|last=Clark|first=Christina|publisher=570 News, Rogers Media|date=29 October 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/andrew-coppolino-market-vendors-1.4833219|title=Who grew your garlic? Andrew Coppolino on market vendors versus farmers|last=Coppolino|first=Andrew|publisher=CBC News|date=22 September 2018|accessdate=28 October 2018}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7970161-schlegel-family-buying-st-jacobs-farmers-market-neighbouring-businesses/|title=Schlegel family buying St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, neighbouring businesses|last=Davis|first=Brent|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|date=29 November 2017|accessdate=28 October 2018}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/4059323-community-rallies-around-destroyed-st-jacobs-market-building/|title=Community rallies around destroyed St. Jacobs market building|last1=Davis|first1=Brent|last2=Desmond|first2=Paige|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=28 October 2018}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/12/14/st-jacobs-farmers-market-back-in-brand-new-barn|title=St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market back in brand-new barn |last=Demontis|first=Rita|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=14 December 2013|accessdate=2013-12-15}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/06/12/st-jacobs-market-rises-from-the-ashes-after-2013-blaze.html|title=St. Jacobs Market rises from the ashes after 2013 blaze|last=Deschamps|first=Tara|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=12 June 2015|accessdate=14 June 2015}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4059382-st-jacobs-market-will-be-rebuilt-but-details-are-uncertain/|title=St. Jacobs market will be rebuilt but details are uncertain|last=Desmond|first=Paige|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|date=3 September 2013|accessdate=2013-09-03}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/02/st_jacobs_market_near_waterloo_gutted_by_fire.html|title=St. Jacobs farmers market gutted in overnight fire|last=Ellison|first=Marc|publisher=Toronto Star|date=2 September 2013|access-date=2013-09-03}}
• {{cite news|title=Big box store development threatens our rural heritage|last=Gallagher|first=Susan|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=28 January 1998}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/st-jacobs-market-charred-wood-recycled-by-artisan-1.2356432|title=St. Jacobs market charred wood recycled by artisan|last=Grant|first=Amanda|publisher=CBC News|date=5 November 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/new-st-jacobs-farmers-market-building-is-open-for-business/article_c266068d-f391-5d82-8d77-567cb13205c2.html |title=New St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building is open for business|last=Lunny|first=Tasha |date=12 December 2012 |newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|accessdate=2013-12-15}}
• {{cite news|title=Wal-Mart blends with local esthetic|last=Howitt|first=Chuck|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|date=21 October 2008}}
• {{cite news|title=Last call to view township's plan|last=Pink|first=Dave|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=17 January 2002}}
• {{cite news|title=Big stores run into city staff opposition|last=Strathdee|first=Mike|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=10 July 1997|page=B1}}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4087128-tent-like-shed-planned-this-winter-for-burned-out-st-jacobs-farmers-market/|title=Tent-like shed planned this winter for burned-out St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market|last=Swayze|first=Kevin|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=19 September 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/st-jacobs-farmers-market-fire-causes-estimated-2m-in-damage-1.1396950|title=St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage|publisher=CBC News|date=2 September 2013|access-date=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|CBC: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market fire causes estimated $2M in damage}} }}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/st-jacobs-market-outdoor-section-to-reopen-this-week-after-fire-1.1339875|title=St. Jacobs market outdoor section to reopen this week after fire|publisher=CBC News|date=3 September 2013|access-date=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|St. Jacobs market outdoor section to reopen this week after fire}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/demolition-of-main-st-jacobs-market-building-begins-1.1856163|title=Demolition of main St. Jacobs Market building begins|publisher=CBC News|date=16 September 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07|ref={{harvid|Demolition of main St. Jacobs Market building begins}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/community-relief-for-st-jacobs-farmers-market-vendors-announced-1.1701173|title=Community relief for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market vendors announced|publisher=CBC News|date=12 September 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07|ref={{harvid|Community relief for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market vendors announced}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/market-st-jacobs-sold-mercedes-schlegel-1.4424543|title=New owners for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market in 2018|publisher=CBC News|date=29 November 2017|accessdate=28 October 2018|ref={{harvid|New owners for St. Jacobs Farmers' Market in 2018}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4159910-temporary-st-jacobs-farmers-market-building-starting-to-take-shape/|title=Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building starting to take shape|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=17 October 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07|ref={{sfnref|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building starting to take shape}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4258628-temporary-st-jacobs-farmers-market-building-opens-thursday/|title=Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building opens Thursday|newspaper=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|date=9 December 2013|accessdate=2013-12-15|ref={{harvid|Temporary St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market building opens Thursday}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/everything-is-gone-fire-destroys-st-jacobs-farmers-market-1.1436605|title='Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market|publisher=CTV News|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|CTV: 'Everything is gone': Fire destroys St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://metronews.ca/news/kitchener/839725/roof-going-up-and-over-st-jacobs-farmers-market-building/|title=Roof going up and over St. Jacobs Farmer’s market building|newspaper=Metro|publisher=Metroland News Service|date=30 October 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07|ref={{harvid|Roof going up and over St. Jacobs Farmer’s market building}} }}
• {{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2013/09/02/st-jacobs-farmers-market-destroyed-by-fire|title=St. Jacobs Farmers' Market destroyed by fire|agency=QMI|newspaper=Toronto Sun|publisher=Sun Media|date=2 September 2013|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|Toronto Sun: St. Jacobs Farmers' Market destroyed by fire}} }}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.stjacobshorsedrawntours.com/maple-sugar-bush-tours.shtml|title=Maple Sugar Bush Tours|publisher=St Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|Maple Sugar Bush Tours}} }}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.stjacobshorsedrawntours.com/mennonite-farm-tours.shtml|title=Mennonite Farm Tours|publisher=St Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|Mennonite Farm Tours}} }}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.woolwich.ca/en/townshipServices/OnRoadCyclingRoutes.asp#9%20St.%20Jacobs%20Country%20Tour-%2024%20km|title=St. Jacobs Country Tour - 24 km|work=Woolwich & Surrounding Areas On-road Cycling|publisher=Township of Woolwich|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|St. Jacobs Country Tour}} }}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.stjacobs.com/farmers-market|title=St. Jacobs Farmers' Market |publisher=St. Jacobs Country|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|St. Jacobs Farmers' Market}} }}
• {{cite web|url=http://waterloocentralrailway.com/|title=Schedule|publisher=Waterloo Central Railway|accessdate=2013-09-03|ref={{harvid|Waterloo Central Railway}} }}

{{refend}}

{{commons category-inline}}

• [https://stjacobsmarket.com/ St. Jacobs Market website]
• {{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/st-jacobs-market-is-getting-back-to-business/article14176285/|title=St. Jacobs market is getting back to business|last=Everett-Green|first=Robert|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=6 September 2013|accessdate=2013-11-07}}

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Category:Buildings and structures in Woolwich, Ontario

Category:Farmers' markets in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo