With between 200 and 300 customers making the Legion Dugout feel overcrowded at times, the Christmas Mini Market on Sunday was very successful, exceeding all expectations, said Candace Doogan, the organizer.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Even though the market was organized 鈥渁t the last minute,鈥� vendors for more than 20 booths committed quickly, but it was difficult to estimate what the customer turnout would be at a show just days before Christmas, she said. The doors opened at noon and by 12:30 to 1 p.m. the place was 鈥渏ammed pack.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Even the customers weren鈥檛 sure what to expect which was illustrated by the fact that many customers came early and then returned an hour or two later, Doogan said. It was because of so much returning traffic that it was difficult to estimate how many customers attended.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Doogan said she did a lot of advertising, including getting the word out through social media. An added bonus was her new membership with the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Since the market was being held at the Legion Dugout, a number of the new Legion members operated a booth offering beverages and goodies for a silver collection, as well as selling Legion specialty items such as winter mitts designed around the poppy symbol. These were first offered for sale on Remembrance Day. The Legion also introduced one of its latest fundraisers in which people purchase 鈥渁 bundle of shingles鈥� with a $20 donation. The end result will be a re-shingled roof on the Dugout next year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Legion booth was also happy to report that new memberships were sold and many others showed interest in reviving the branch, which was in danger of folding only one year ago.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in the early afternoon, the mood of the whole crowd seemed to lighten and laughter was commonplace. Even Santa and his wife expressed interest in becoming members of the revived Canora Legion branch.
When assessing the Mini Market, it was the feedback from both the vendors and the customers that was the most rewarding, Doogan said. There were numerous comments describing the sale as being one of the best pre-Christmas markets in the whole area.
The list of vendors included: Candace Doogan with Steeped Tea and with Candy鈥檚 Catering; Robin Salkowski of Theodore with Regal products; Kim Onufreychuk of Yorkton with The Pampered Chef; Joanne Craig of Preeceville with jewelry; Meagan Strauss of Togo with Alchemist鈥檚 Circle Gifts; Maggie Lukey of Norquay with Thirty-One Gifts; Tammy Lowey of Kelvington with Norwex and Leggings; Tammy Pantiuk of Preeceville with Rada Cutlery; Shyla Yannoulis with Christmas wreaths; Valerie LaRocque with Younique make-up; Heather Chabun of Canora with Epicure; Melody Berehula of Canora with Christmas box ornaments; Tammy Appleton of Yorkton with Tupperware; Marie Kupchinski of Buchanan with Mary Kay; Athena Greba with Seacret; and Elly Carlson of Canora with Jamberry.
It was the vendors鈥� commitment and the customers鈥� enthusiasm that made the Mini Market such a success, Doogan said. Both, the vendors and the customers, are already looking forward to the next pre-Christmas market.
