Trevor Ramieri is hoping a fresh idea will lead to an increased presence of entrepreneurs from St. Clair College at the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market in 2022.
In 2021, the entrepreneurial group ENACTUS St. Clair rented one vendor space for multiple small businesses to share during the 24 weeks when the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market was held. Ramieri, the President of ENACTUS St. Clair, said the various entrepreneurs - representing nine different programs at St. Clair College –generated over $7,655 in revenue at the Farmers Market or approximately $320 per appearance.
"I think that the pandemic really woke people’s interest in supporting their local economy," Ramieri said. "I think this year there is going to be a lot more traffic. It’s a very popular spot so we are really looking forward to having the full 37-week season."
This year, ENACTUS St. Clair will expand its operational footprint in Downtown Windsor and rent two vendor spaces for the duration of the 37-week Farmers Market season.
Both of these tents will be made available exclusively for St. Clair student entrepreneurs to use in order to sell goods and promote their small businesses. These additional slots are available to any St. Clair student on a sign-up basis, with these spaces being offered equally on a rotation.
Ramieri believes these additional vendor slots could also serve as networking opportunities for new entrepreneurs or small business owners.
"I really think that the Downtown Windsor Farmers Market has set the standard," said Ramieri. "The fact that not only do the vendors have an opportunity individually to sell their goods but because we have multiple businesses in the same space, they get to interact with each other and have that level of engagement and collaboration evident throughout the Farmers Market."
The Downtown Windsor Farmers Market season begins Saturday, April 2nd and runs from 8am-1pm in the area of Pelissier Street & Maiden Lane in Windsor, Ontario. The Farmers Market will run each Saturday afterward until December 10th, 2022.
Budding St. Clair College student entrepreneurs who are interested in booking a guest vendor slot at the ENACTUS St. Clair tent during the 2022 Downtown Windsor Farmers Market season can email Trevor Ramieri at TRAMIERI@stclaircollege.ca for more information.
- Brett Hedges