New Halifax Farmers' Market set to open

Saturday marked the end of an era for the Halifax Farmers' Market, with more than half of the 200-plus vendors about to move to astate-of-the-art building on the Halifax waterfront.

The haphazard layout and historic charm of the Alexander Keith's brewery will give way to the Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market,billed as one of the most eco-friendly buildings in the world.

The majority of the vendorslook forward to moving North America's oldest continuously operating farmers market to its new location.

"It's going to beeasier for the customers and the vendors to park as well, whichright now [is]pretty tough in here," said Frederic Tandy, who sells French pastries. He added happy customers will spend more.

Many vendors prefer Keith'sambience

About 70 vendors plan to remain at the old market, which runs every Saturday at the brewery.

Austin Mannette of Mannette's plant nursery says, "Customers have told us,they like the ambience and the uniqueness of a heritage building not a fancy-pants building."

Restaurant owner Lil MacPherson says the new location at Pier 20 which will beopen six days a week will give her a better chance to buy local produce.

"There's farmers that can't get into [the old] market," said MacPherson, who co-owns the Wooden Monkey downtown.

"There's people who can't get into this market and they haven't for years. So there's a lineup, so now this opens up this huge window. Now anybody can go down there."

The new Seaport Market a massive 4,050 square metres, almost double the brewery's space is designed with the environment in mind.

Four large wind turbines are on the roof of the facility, which will also feature solar panels, geothermal heating and a rooftop garden.

The municipal, provincial and federal governments paid for the $11.5-million project, along with local investors through a community economic development fund.