Despite dealing with rain, wind and even snow in recent days, LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Station Avenue vendors are feeling upbeat about business over the coming months.
Opening back in May, Langford Station Cultural District aimed to establish a downtown community hub by revitalizing the old train station site, where the E&N Railway used to run, installing artists studios, business stalls, a performance stage and space for food trucks.
Events throughout the summer and autumn have attracted crowds, most recently a Halloween B次元官网网址渢reat streetB次元官网网址� and a food truck festival on Oct. 29 and 30. These have helped boost foot traffic, although business hasnB次元官网网址檛 always flowed for some of the vendors, according to Shayla Hann of Hannmade Designs, one of the artisans on Station Avenue.
B次元官网网址淚n the summer was fine B次元官网网址� the live music and what they were doing on the weekends brought more people. Over time, kind of like on Friday nights, when they had the beer truck here it kind of just became like routine for people to come by. So they werenB次元官网网址檛 necessarily shopping, which was unfortunate. It was just like a gathering spot for them because they knew they could get beer here,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址漇o we were a little nervous about the food truck festival because weB次元官网网址檙e like, B次元官网网址極K, well, itB次元官网网址檚 just gonna be another thing where people can come and hang out.B次元官网网址� But we donB次元官网网址檛 know if theyB次元官网网址檙e gonna be that interested in shopping. But to our surprise, it was a very good day, very good weekend.B次元官网网址�
One thing Hann wants to see is the events spread out along the length of Station Avenue, to help all the vendors, something she said the City of Langford said theyB次元官网网址檇 aim for in the future.
Overall, Hann said sales were good in the summer and sheB次元官网网址檚 hopeful that come Christmas people will be in a shopping mood.
At the other end of the avenue, Lillian Hutson is also hoping more shoppers will show come Christmas after a slightly slower September and October B次元官网网址� which are usually slow months in retail, Hutson says. Her beauty products business started as a home business, but now she relishes having a permanent studio space B次元官网网址� her container doubles as a store and studio.
B次元官网网址淚 did the markets for years and I just finished up with my last one for the season B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 going to continue doing them because I just love my markets. But this is amazing, setting up the tent and the rain and everything else, IB次元官网网址檝e done it where IB次元官网网址檓 like, B次元官网网址業 wonder if my hair will ever dry?B次元官网网址� So to have this space moving into the wintertime is amazing. I was doing this at home and had my little studio place at home, so the separation now is pretty cool.B次元官网网址�
Both Hann and Hutson said the City of Langford has been easy to work with and were hopeful for more events in the future to attract people to Station Avenue.
B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 how getting through things like COVID B次元官网网址� how we do it is together. If you know your neighbors, and the more people you know, she makes the chocolate, sheB次元官网网址檚 got the soapB次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e stronger together.B次元官网网址�
Station Avenue will be open throughout the winter months, with vendors required to keep their businesses open for five hours a day Thursday through Sunday.
READ MORE: PHOTOS: Food trucks take over LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Station Avenue in first-ever festival
READ MORE: Langford cultural district opens along downtown railroad stretch
bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com
Like us on and follow us on Twitter.
