It was announced this week that the iconic Victoria Public Market will be closing in the near future in order to make way for an undetermined grocery store opening in its place.
Victoria Public Market is owned and operated by Townline, who have overseen the space for the past 12 years.
The Victoria Public Market offered a space to kitchens, artisans, entrepreneurs and other businesses who needed a launchpad that was more affordable than finding a brick-and-mortar location elsewhere in the downtown core.
According to Townline, since the pandemic, they have struggled with bringing in new business.
“Unfortunately, like countless businesses, our tenants felt the impacts of the global pandemic. Today, only seven spaces are occupied, while 11 sit empty,” wrote Townline in a media release.
“Given these realities – and after careful deliberation – we have decided to repurpose the space.”
Townline says it only has seven tenants that operate at Victoria Public Market, who will soon cease operations. They will have only six months to find a new home for their businesses.
Despite Twonline saying this will only impact seven vendors, the Victoria Public Market has nine listed vendors, rather than seven.
La Pizza La Pasta, Roast, VicExpress Teriyaki & Roll, Victoria Pie Co and Two Crows Mustard, Whisk Victoria, Naami’s Mediterranea, Dhaga Fashions, Coho Collective Kitchens and lastly, Shashwat Indian Cuisine will all be out of a workspace in six months time.
Following this announcement, Two Crows Mustard made a post on the Victoria sub-Reddit detailing their experience.
“Our leasess grant us 180 days notice but they have asked us to vacate in 90 days,” said Two Crows Mustard.
“It wasn’t a total surprise but it didn’t give any of us any time to figure out what we’re doing, where we’re going, or what comes next. Please be patient with us. We are getting asked that by everybody who comes in to see us and it’s extremely exhausting.”
They added that they will be trying to keep their energy up and ask that anyone who knows their products, or who are curious to try them, come in before they have to vacate.
“We’re grateful for the support you’ve shown us over the years and we’re extremely grateful for the support you’ll show us in the coming weeks,” Two Crows Mustard added.
“Local small businesses are the backbone of our community and if we don’t support them then we lose a lot of who we are.”
Townline did note that they may have some space in other properties they own in Victoria, such as the Hudson District, which they may offer to current market tenants.
Additionally, Townline says that it is important for them to make good on their commitment to make the neighbourhood more of a walkable community, which helped guide their decision of what to do with the soon-to-be vacant space.
“We are happy to announce that a full-service, urban-format Canadian grocery store will open in the space early next year,” said Townline.
For the time being, Townline says they will not share what grocer will be moving into the space.
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