Vancouver's Lively Street Market Has Big Expansion Plans

In his three years working at the Pigeon Park street market, Roland Clark has seen some odd things bought and sold. But he's hard pressed to name the oddest.

It might be the ultrasound machine that turned up one Sunday (he's got photos to prove it). A Styrofoam crate of live lobsters in ice ranks a close second.

"If they were dead already, it'd be easy, we'd have to kick [the vendor] out. But they were live lobsters," Clark said. "Then I said, well, I guess you could claim they were pets, but they were sold before we could do anything about it."

The lively market, located at East Hastings and Carrall Streets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, is host to 150 to 200 vendors every Sunday. For five years, it has attracted customers from across the city, mainly those on the hunt for used clothing, jewelry, DVDs, old vinyl, handmade crafts and canned goods.

Clark was living in a homeless shelter three-and-a-half years ago when he first heard about the market as a "good place to buy inexpensive stuff for people on welfare." Volunteering on Sundays gave him something to do, and he worked his way up to the core team. He's now the market coordinator.

"We haven't missed a Sunday in five years," Clark said. That's over 260 Sundays.

Now, big plans are in motion to move the City-sanctioned market east, and expand its reach and offerings.

The City of Vancouver has purchased 501 to 533 Powell Street, just northeast of Oppenheimer Park, and is floating the row of buildings as the potential new site.

Supporters envision the outdoor market as part of a larger community hub for the Downtown Eastside, including an estimated total of 700 vendors, an arts and crafts space, and the relocation of the Hastings Urban Farm, currently located at 48 West Hastings. It would be open three days a week.

The move has drawn critics, primarily local businesses concerned about whether the site will be adequately policed. But others are hopeful that the expanded incarnation will be a welcome new centre for the community.

Vancouver city council was expected to vote on the proposal for market's relocation and expansion on June 10, but the decision was delayed until the next meeting on June 23. The first phase of the move is tentatively set for July.

'Awesome' space: vendor

The market is run by the DTES Street Market Society and financially supported by grants, the largest provided by the City of Vancouver. It provides a way for local residents, some who struggle with challenges like low income or mental health, to earn a little extra income.

Many vendors hunt for recyclables throughout the week and come across items they believe have a chance to sell, Clark said. After a little cleaning or fixing up, the goods hit the market. "It's generally a recycling market," he said.

The low-cost to set up -- $1 buys a table, $5, a tent -- also attracts local artists, who hawk their creations alongside the vendors.

Aside from the occasional ultrasound machine and live lobster, the market puts about $75 into the pocket of an average vendor each Sunday.

The city estimates the cost of moving the market will cost $150,000 this year, and the total earnings of vendors to be about half a million.

Regina Daniels, known by customers as "the popcorn woman," sells refreshments at the market. But when she came for the first time three years ago, it wasn't to sell.

"I was just there to help [my sister] and make sure she doesn't faint, 'cause she was in a wheelchair," she said.

Daniels' sister sold movies and jewelry. Daniels was happy to be there to spend time and chat with her sister.

But when her sister passed away, Daniels found herself missing the market. Daniels did a lot of carving, beading, knitting, crocheting and weaving, and decided to rent a table herself and sell some of her work.

Today, she's also a market board member, invited by coordinators who noticed her coming week after week.

Daniels is positive about the proposed expansion and believes it's important for the Downtown Eastside.

"I think it's awesome that we have a space like that, where you always have to keep an eye out for each other," she said.

New site 'much easier to control': coordinator

Not everyone's thrilled about the market move, as a group of residents and neighbouring community groups made clear at a June 10 city council meeting.

A petition called "Stop the Junk Market" was started and signed by opponents of the proposed new site. Petitioners say they are afraid the relocation will bring "increased drug activity, vandalism, property crime, prostitution and chaos" to the neighbourhood, and worry that the goods for sale might be stolen.

One of the City's goals in supporting the market was to provide an alternative to unregulated vending in the Downtown Eastside. But opponents pointed out that the sanctioned market has not prevented such vending from continuing.

Local businesses worry that moving the market east could bring the unregulated vendors with them, but organizers insist that a fresh start will give them the ability to have greater control.

Market coordinator Clark said that volunteers must approve vendor items before the day begins, and they keep an eye out for stolen or illegal goods. Hired security guards are also on site, he said.

One common problem is shoplifters who try to sell their stolen cheese, Clark said. "We've had to chase out cheese vendors historically a lot. It's easy to hide."

Many members of the community around the new site still need to be convinced, but Clark is hopeful about the possibilities a market expansion would bring. He is proud to be representing it.

After all, the market gave him a fresh start.

"I used to love sleeping in on Sundays," Clark said. "I haven't slept in on a Sunday in three-and-a-half years."