MOOSE JAW — With the goal of supporting Moose Jaw’s food bank, the Town ‘N’ Country Mall came back to life as a recent weekend’s Holiday Market drew crowds and helped vendors offer unique gifts and stocking stuffer ideas to the community.
The event was originally calling for around 50 vendors, but a total of 107 attended and were joined by an early estimate of 1,000 guests — give or take.
“It’s great for the community, and it’s great for the vendors, because it gets (people) out here. They get to show their wares (and) have sales… Community wise, it’s amazing because people get together and help each other out,” announced Gail Hoffos, the show’s organizer.
Previously, Hoffos has helped organizations like the South Central Early Childhood Intervention Program and Running Wild Rescue through her charity-focused trade shows.
The events have proven their worth, and Hoffos said she’s raised $15,000 over four trade shows this year alone. Next year she plans to run six of them.
“Most of the vendors are doing really good,” she said. “People love it, even (if they just attend) for an afternoon.”
One vendor, Cindy Knelsen, sells Watkins products and attended after seeing a social media post and reaching out. “I reached out, they were very good, and it’s (for) a good cause,” she said about supporting the food bank.
Knelsen said she’s been busy and one of her newest products, Watkins Yellowstone grilling spice that retails for $8 a bottle, sold out before she could even try it herself.
“It’s been very well worth it for me to bring the products here,” she said. “Sales have been steady today (and I have) lots of stuff here for stocking stuffers.” Knelsen can be reached at 306-690-2158 for anyone interested in her line of products.
Scott Jenkinson, owner of “I Saw That. Art,” said he was happy to promote his saw blade painting hobby and wasn’t too worried about his sales. Jenkinson still saw a benefit from the venue, of course. “Last month (here at the mall) I sold 10 (saw blades) at one show.”
For more information about I Saw That. Art, visit ‘I Saw That. Art’ on Facebook.
The trade show brought uncharacteristic crowds to the mall — an unfamiliar sight in recent years — much to the benefit of permanent businesses at the venue.
One of those businesses was Vege World owned by Jayesh Ashar and his wife, Maitri Ashar, who brings her cooking experience to the family enterprise. “We are surprised to know how many people are visiting in Moose Jaw — there are many, many of them,” Maitri said. “People just love to have good food and they appreciate how everything (that we serve) is made fresh.”
This impression was shared by Hoffos and several businesses she spoke with. “The store over there where Calico Junction used to be, they were just taken back… It was crazy; people were lined up,” she said. “The stores in the mall are loving it. They’re busy.”
Even though most businesses experienced increased patronage, some visitors only came to have a look around. Either way, Hoffos said, it’s great to see more new faces in the building.
Hoffos wished to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Holiday Market possible. “It’s amazing all the community support that I get,” she said appreciatively.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911.
The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North.
