Rules and Regulations for
the Gravenhurst Community Market

 Hours of Operation

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday  from June 4, 2023 to September 3, 2023.  Vendors will be required to set up their booths between 8:00  and 8:45 a.m.. If a vendor has not arrived before 8:45 a.m., barring the unforeseen and without due cause, entry to the Market will not be permitted and no refund will be given. No vendor may begin to dismantle a display or a booth before 2:00 p.m. All vendors must be off the premises by 3:00 p.m.

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 Approval of Goods and Products by the Board

Prospective vendors are required to provide a list of proposed items as well as representative photographs at the time of their application. Copies or photographs of all items will remain on file for the term of membership.

Preference will be given in the order presented below:

1. Vendors who reside, and produce their products, within the Muskoka area. Any approved, local primary producer is welcome at this market.  We do our best to minimize duplication of product, but we do not guarantee it.  Vendors from other areas may be approved by the committee.

2. Primary Producers

3. Secondary Producers

4. Artists/Artisans/Crafters

5. Retailers

6. Others

In order to maintain the widest possible variety of products, the committee will consider out-of- season produce normally grown in Ontario, or Ontario produce not grown in our area. During the application process vendors preference will be given to full time vendors before guest vendors.

Types of Products Allowed:

1. All products offered for sale must be of good quality.

2. Local produce is the first choice; and produce from other parts of Ontario, second.  If Ontario produce is not available, then produce from other provinces may be allowed. If an item that is usually grown in Canada is not available, it may, with the approval of the committee, be imported for sale; but the country of origin must be indicated to the public in plain view.

3. A copy of all necessary certificates must be displayed at the booth.

4. Arts and crafts cannot be commercially produced, or purchased ready for sale. They must be handmade by the vendor

5. No person shall sell, display, distribute or hand out at the Market:

   • a)  Any drug or medicine in any form, including any herbal remedies of any kind whatsoever.

   • b)  Any handbills, dodgers or advertising matters of any kind, except for material pre- approved by the Committee.

   • c)  Any goods or chattels of any kind whatsoever by public auction.

Decisions as to the admissibility of items shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee.  The Committee reserves the right to prohibit the sale of any item by a Member which, in the opinion of the Committee, does not reflect the objectives of the Market, notwithstanding prior approval of the subject goods or products. All decisions by the Committee are final.

Fees

Full-time Vendors

Payment must be by e-transfer to gravenhurstcommunitymarket@gmail.com

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Booth Fees

- Full-time vendors -$225.00 - 10 x 10 spot

$400 for a 10 x 20 spot 

- Guest vendors - $ 30 per market day if 4 or more dates selected $35 if 3 or less dates selected for a 10 x 10 spot

this is a vendor fee, not a per-booth fee.

All applications for full-time vendors both those applying to return and new, must be received with full payment by May 15, together with samples or copies of the items to be sold (if required) . Each full-time vendor will be assigned a reserved spot and when possible, first option to return to it each year.

Guest vendors must pre-register and pay for specific days and will be allocated booths by the market manager.

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Cancellations:

Vendors must give 72 hours notice if they will not be in attendance. No refunds on vendor fees. Partial refunds may only be considered on a case by case basis and must be fully approved by vote of the board of directors. 

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Allocation of Spaces

Full-time vendors will be given the same booths for the entire season. They will be given preference. No refund will be given for days not used. Full-time vendors are asked to notify the Market Manager at least 24 hours in advance if not be able to attend a market day, they will. Full-time vendors may not sublease, or let another person use their spot at the Market. Spots not occupied by 8:45 a.m. will be made available to guest vendors and are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. 

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Displays, Signs and Labels

Vendors must provide their own tables and displays. All vendors must have signage with their names and addresses prominently displayed on their stalls. Local producers are encouraged to display signs promoting their products as locally produced. Products such as baked goods and processed foods must be labeled with a list of ingredients, for liability purposes as required by local health regulations.

All displays, including tents, must be securely fixed to the ground, or to heavy objects. Displays and tents must be so firmly anchored that they cannot be moved by the wind, or by sudden gusts of wind.

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Vendor Responsibilities

All displays must be attractive, tidy, clean and safe.

All signs (farm and family), tarps, umbrellas, canopies, and large merchandise shall be secured and displayed properly. Tarps, canopies and merchandise must fit the space assigned by the Market Manager (Single = 10' frontage x 10' deep, Double = 20' frontage x 10’ deep.

All sales must be confined to the stall and must be conducted in a conservative and respectful manner (no shouting or hawking).

All vendors will be required to volunteer to help the Market run smoothly. Vendors are encouraged not to sell prior to 9:00 a.m.

Vendors must be set up by 8:45 a.m. and their booths must be vacated and the spaces left clean by 3:00 p.m.

No vendor may begin to dismantle a display or a booth before 2:00 p.m. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the grounds.

Compliance with both federal and provincial sales tax regulations is the responsibility of each vendor.

All produce vendors must be familiar with, and comply with, the requirements set by the provincial and federal governments regarding the sale of food.

All arts-and-crafts vendors are responsible for following federal, provincial and municipal regulations regarding their products.

Vendors are required to take all garbage and items to be recycled (e.g., cardboard boxes) home with them. Bins are provided for customers only, not for vendors. This is a strict requirement and it will be enforced. Please, please, please!

Pets will be permitted if they are on a short leash and controlled at all times. Vendors and customers must clean up after their pets.

Vendors must agree not to practice distress pricing. Vendors of perishable produce may reduce prices during the last hour and not before.

It is advisable to offer the American visitors a fair market exchange on their money. We encourage you to give fair market value to our visitors so that they will want to return.

Gravenhurst Community  Market carries $5,000,000 comprehensive liability insurance; vendors must  purchase their own insurance before trading at the Market or sign a liability waiver. Gravenhurst Community Market will not be held responsible for vendor or visitor losses, whether by theft, accident, or by any other means; nor will the Market be held responsible for the products or the claims or the conduct of its vendors. It is at the discretion of the Market Executive to decide which vendors have to show proof of having extra liability insurance because their service might potentially pose a danger to the public (e.g., pony rides).

Each vendor shall have an assigned space, as designated by the Market Manager and/or the Directors.

Vendors are required to display a sign, in plain view, stating the name of the business or the name of the vendor.

If a vendor cannot be at the Market on any given day, the vendor must contact the Market Manager no later than 8:00 p.m. on the previous day (Saturday). 48 hours notice must be given to reallocate spaces if needed. 

The Market Manager may request that, as the Market grows and shrinks due to seasonal variances, the vendors close in or expand out to properly fill the space available. It is not expected that this will change the sequence in which vendor stalls are set up, and all vendors are expected to comply without argument.

All persons selling at the Market agree to abide by the preceding By-laws and Policies, and they agree to complete and sign a registration form to this same effect.

The above Policies are to be enforced by the Market Manager.

Parking and Vehicles

Vendors must park in the designated parking lot by 8:30 a.m.. No vendor’s vehicle may be driven in the market area while the Market is in operation. No

exceptions. No vendor may begin to dismantle a booth before 2:00 p.m. All vendors must be off the premises by 3:00 p.m.

 Complaints and Appeals

On market day, the Market Manager will have final say on the operation of the Market. The Market Manager will request that inappropriate or poor-quality items be withdrawn from sale. Vendors must agree to comply with the directions of the Market Manager on market days. Vendors who do not abide by the Market rules; or who cause disturbances; or make false declarations about their goods; or who fail to meet Health Department standards; or who deal with customer complaints, or directions from the Market Manager in an inappropriate manner, will be asked to leave. These requirements will be strictly enforced. The Market Manager has the authority to request the aid of the police. A vendor not satisfied with the Market Manager’s decision may appeal, in writing, to the Gravenhurst Community Market for final resolution.