Shoppers descended on Lakeview Wine Co. last Saturday, as 29 small business owners transformed the Niagara winery into a bustling Mother’s Day market of handmade treasures.
The one-day event at the winery ran from noon to 5 p.m. on May 10, drawing a steady stream of residents and tourists seeking last-minute presents.
Lakeview partnered with Events Connected to supply space while vendors kept every sale, and live music and wine tastings completed the draw for Niagara-on-the-Lake families.
Lakeview’s retail and hospitality manager, Julia Munden, said turnout proved there is an appetite for regular markets.
“We’re just starting to bring markets back to see what kind of interest we have within Niagara on the Lake,” said Munden.
By mid-afternoon, stalls were busy with shoppers checking out watercolour prints, gemstone jewellery, gourmet butter tarts and cedar-strip charcuterie boards.
“My grandmother was an artist and that first pulled me into painting,” said Lauren “Lo” Manders of Lo Art Co., who drove from Stratford to sell coffee-painted cards, originals and prints.
Retired carpenter Darrell Crumb shaped leftover walnut into cutting boards under the cheeky banner Who Cut the Cheese… Boards.
“I try to make every piece different so each board is unique,” said Crumb.
The Butter Tart Shack offered 70 rotating flavours, and the owner shared a story similar to many other market artisans: COVID led them to turn a passion into a career.
“I left the restaurant grind to put my stamp on Ontario butter tarts,” said Jason Young, a Port Colborne chef who has eight provincial butter-tart titles.
Soap maker Kathleen Johnstone said pop-ups grow her young wholesale business, Milk Box Soap Co.
“Handmade soap spoils people once they try it, and grocery bars just will not do after,” said Johnstone.
Cinnamon-bun baker Gennaro Battista, whose Brantford garage houses a commercial kitchen, welcomed the chance to meet new customers.
“Events like this help small businesses get noticed and there’s always a silver lining,” said Battista of Lidz Cinabunz.
Lakeview is keeping the fun going this season with two outdoor art shows in June.
