Peddlar's Village vendors await word on extent of fire damage

CTV Kitchener: Market vendors on edge Vendors at Peddlar’s Village have yet to be allowed inside to examine the damage for themselves. Abigail Bimman reports.

Because Thursday’s fire at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market was sparked on a busy market day, the market buildings were teeming with activity.

While the main market building and the tent carried on business at usual after the fire began, vendors and shoppers were forced out of the Peddlar’s Village building, where the fire began on the roof.

For some vendors, it meant an afternoon of waiting for word on the situation inside – and casting their memories back 2.5 years to the last time they’d done that.

Wayne Francis owns the All Things Piggy store.

When the original market main building was destroyed by fire in 2013, he had to move one of his booths.

After a few weeks, he ended up shutting down his stall earlier than usual.

“People couldn’t find us anymore. We just lost our revenue,” he said.

On Thursday, he found himself in the same position as other vendors – stuck waiting outside, unable to re-enter Peddlar’s Village to see what could be salvaged.

“At this point, we don’t know how much damage is in there,” he said.

“We don’t even know when we can get back to work.”

Similarly worried was Tom Ranville, of T.R. Coins and Collectibles.

While he was glad everyone got out of the building safely, he said he was on “pins and needles” waiting for answers about the future.

“It’s going to hurt a lot of people. It is the livelihood of a lot of people,” he said.

While other buildings at the market will be open as usual for the Saturday market, Peddlar’s Village likely will be off-limits.