After the first day of a new Saturday farmers market in 91原创 City last year, attendance by vendors and customers steadily declined over the weeks and months that followed.

As a result, there won鈥檛 be a market outside the Timms Community centre this year, said market manager Cherise McGee.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just the way the cookie crumbles,鈥� McGee said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 unfortunate.鈥�

Between opening day in June and the last day in October, the number of vendors fell from almost 30 to six due to a lack of customers walking through the Saturday 鈥淔armers Market in the City鈥� being held in the parking lot of the Timms Community centre at 20399 Douglas Crescent.

The ones who left went to other, busier public markets, McGee said.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of competition for [vendors among] weekend markets, McGee said.

Location appeared to be the problem, with shoppers either unaware of the market, or unwilling to make the trip over from the one-way where many community events are held.

鈥淭he Arts Alive [show on the one-way] was busy, but our section was quiet,鈥� McGee said.

When the City approached the 91原创 Community Farmers Market about launching a second Saturday market to complement the Wednesday market the non-profit has been operating in the courtyard of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University 91原创 campus, 鈥渨e were very keen to do it,鈥� McGee said.

READ MORE:

A farmers market could return to downtown 91原创 City some time in future, likely at a different site, once the market directors have had a chance to do some due diligence, McGee said.

鈥淢aybe in a year or two.鈥�

McGee said the non-profit lost money on the venture, but declined to say how much.

She praised the City of 91原创 for helping out with a grant for table and chairs and other necessary equipment, and paying to replace some of it when was stolen shortly before opening day.

鈥淸that was] pretty stand-up,鈥� McGee said.

Security video footage captured two people stealing four large white 10鈥� x 10鈥� tents, black and white flags, and table coverings from storage in the parking lot under the Timms Community Centre.

The supplies were brand new. The tents were still in the cardboard boxes.