Jackie Fraser is the owner of Fraberts Fresh Food, a small grocery store in Fergus. Jackie applied on behalf of the Fergus Marketplace On the River. More than just another market, it boasts specialty services, stores, and dining in one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Fergus. The Fergus Marketplace on the river opened in 1878.
“Easy programme to work with…”
As part of the Marketplace, Jackie and colleagues wanted to give a better first impression with the back of the building by improving its facade as it backs into the river, which faces downtown Fergus. They wanted to draw the people across the river and bring them back after the lockdowns. “I heard about the programme through our BIA involvement, and I saw it as an opportunity to get things done in our building”, Jackie recalls.
“It was an easy programme to work with. Instructions were pretty clear; we just needed to keep receipts”, Jackie answers when asked to describe her overall experience with the programme. “There were no challenges. Even though there were 15 tenants, more chefs in the kitchen, it went way smoother than it could have”, she added. The tenants decided on painting the building, adding strapping to the walls, and reengineering the boardwalk to remove unsightly supports.
As of the interview, Jackie is happy to report that the Fergus Marketplace on the river is fully tenanted. “The building is now full and we get lots of compliments from the other side of the river. Many tourists came into town after the [lockdowns]”, she added.
When asked if she had any advice for anyone thinking about applying for the programme, Jackie responded with: I encourage everybody to participate. [The programme] is great for the community!