Vendors at one of Ottawa’s most popular flea markets are adjusting to a new layout as restoration work gets underway at the historic Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park. Construction fencing surrounding the building has forced Saturday’s 613flea market to split its approximately 150 vendors between Aberdeen Square and a nearby basketball court. For Kim Cassell, owner of Big Kimmy’s Hoard House, the changes required a little improvisation. “We’re essentially like vintage carnies,” Cassell said. “We’re going to make it work regardless of what they throw at us.” Cassell, who operates a vintage shop on Bank Street, said vendors had little time to adjust to their new locations, with some receiving different-sized booths than they were accustomed to. Despite the initial uncertainty, she said business was going well Saturday. “The new set up is great, you get a little anxious, but then once you get settled in, everything’s fine,” Cassell said. Adapting to construction 613flea manager Catherine Knoll said organizers had been anticipating the restoration for approximately two years but only learned the exact placement of the construction barricades on Thursday. “We were kind of pre-planning, but we really didn’t know where the barricades were going to end up,” Knoll said. She said the City of Ottawa worked with organizers to provide access to the basketball court, allowing the market to accommodate its vendors despite losing access to the Pavilion. “The traffic seems to be flowing well form the square, over to the East Court into the basketball court. It’s working well,” Knoll said. Regular shoppers also appeared willing to embrace the change. Claudia Pfeifer, who frequently visits 613flea, said the new arrangement simply meant a little more exploring. “I wouldn’t say that it deterred us, it was just something that we had to, maybe walk a couple more steps to find and explore,” Pfeifer said. Winter markets present a bigger challenge While Saturday’s outdoor market was able to accommodate the usual number of vendors, organizers are facing a more significant challenge as the colder weather approaches. 613flea has one more outdoor market scheduled in two weeks before moving into the Horticulture Building for two events in November. Knoll said the indoor facility can accommodate a maximum of approximately 75 vendors, half the number that typically participate in 613flea. Organizers hope to divide vendors between the two November markets, but the smaller space has some regular participants concerned about their ability to secure a spot. Eunice Duodu, who operates Kentara Fashion with her mother, said the uncertainty is particularly concerning for small businesses that depend on the market. “It’s definitely going to be a little bit scary because it is half the vendors in the horticulture building,” Duodu said. “We don’t know if we’re going to be selected for every single market.” Duodu said the new outdoor arrangement has also changed the atmosphere of the market, with shoppers more spread out and familiar neighbouring vendors now in different locations. Still, she acknowledged the long-term benefits of restoring the building. “It is nice that the Aberdeen is going to be upgraded. So, when that is done, that is the bright side,” she said. Christmas shopping season impacted The timing of the restoration is another concern for organizers. Knoll said approximately 60 to 65 per cent of 613flea’s vendors are artisans, many of whom rely heavily on sales during the holiday shopping season. The market has also lost four planned evening Christmas markets that would have taken place inside the Aberdeen Pavilion. “They really count on this Christmas season,” Knoll said. “It would have been nice to start in January to grab the Christmas season, but it needs to be done.” Knoll said organizers are hoping to find a larger alternative indoor venue that could accommodate more vendors while the Pavilion remains closed. Looking ahead The Aberdeen Pavilion restoration includes roof and structure work, along with repairs to the building’s heritage windows and doors. The project is expected to keep the Pavilion unavailable for events for approximately 18 months. Despite the disruption, some vendors believe the long-term improvements will outweigh the temporary inconvenience. Cassell said the building’s existing conditions can make operating inside uncomfortable, particularly during Ottawa’s hottest and coldest months. “It’s freezing in the building in the winter, and it’s very hot in the summer,” she said. “I think it’s totally worth it. 100 per cent.”
