The Nanaimo Commercial Street Night Market hits an attendance all time high on its 7th season

This year’s Commercial Street Night Market had a boom in attendance. This year marks the market’s 7th season, bringing major foot traffic and fun to downtown every Thursday for the past 11 weeks.

The night market transforms Commercial Street into a lively hub in the heart of Downtown Nanaimo, filled with local food trucks, live entertainment, artisan vendors and family friendly activities. Some vendors change weekly, offering a different experience every Thursday.

Rini Jose, the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce’s manager of communications and events was happy with the community response to the night market.

“When you jus t look at people smiling and the kids having fun, that's the success of the market. That makes your heart full. That you know people who come here enjoy it and think [of] it as a safe space.”

Jose explained this year the market has expanded to include more of Bastion Street. In previous years, attendance was calculated based on rough estimates, but as Jose explained, this year’s data collection became far more accurate and focused.

“This year we had an MBA intern who was researching specifically about the market and on the impact of the market. So they had a team come over. They would do just at this point of this market, they would come in and do the click to generate the numbers, and that's how we were able to conclude that on one of the best nights we have had between 9000 to 15,000, and then on average five to nine.”

Josh Kulhawy, co-owner of Botanist Daughter Flower Shop and one of the vendors on the market’s final Thursday on August 27th, also noticed the increased attendance.

“It's been pretty great. Even there was a bunch of days that were rainy, and it still had a pretty good turnout on most of them. And most of the days, the street is pretty busy or absolutely packed.”

Also at the market was potter Joe Lyons (pictured). His business KBR Pottery, has taken part in the market since its first year. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

Also at the market was potter Joe Lyons. His business KBR Pottery, has taken part in the market since its first year.

“I love the night market. I mean, I've been participating for years now, and this year has been great. I mean, it just seems to every year it grows in kind of like you could say strength, but just like participation from people, family-friendly people of all ages and from all over the world coming to downtown to appreciate what we have downtown here.”

While attendance was up overall, there were a number of rainy Thursdays this summer.

Michelle Boonster from Boonies Baked Goods, who has participated in the market for the last five years said traffic was actually down for her this year.

“It's been on and off this year. We've had more rain, I think, than previous years as far as on the Thursday. So as far as myself, the traffic's been a bit less, but it's still a great market to come to, and I enjoy.”

Michelle Boonster (pictured) from Boonies Baked Goods, who has participated in the market for the last five years said traffic was actually down for her this year. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

Boonster said the closure of Commercial Street gives freedom for pedestrians to move around, and the variety of vendors, entertainment, kids’ zones and the family friendly environment create an atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

Boonster added that she sees both locals and tourists alike visiting her booth and the market in general, with regular customers who return to see her every week.

Lyons explained what he believes keeps people coming back to the market every Thursday.

“I think it's just gained like a reputation as being a place that our community can come and see people and enjoy each other's company, but also if you have a visitor from out of town and it's Thursday, where else are you going to bring them on Thursday night? You know what I mean?”

Josh Kulhawy, painted the picture of what an evening in Nanaimo’s Night Market actually looks like.

“I definitely feel like the combination of it being a full event. So here you have live music, you have lots of a variety of vendors, and you have food. So just being able to come and actually be able to spend some time. It's right around dinner time, so a lot of people come look at stuff, grab a bite to eat, hang out, grab ice cream, look at more stuff. So listen to live music, just it being a full event.”

Kulhawy (pictured) said the Night Market has exposed the Botanist Daughter Shop to locals and tourists, adding that this exposure has helped them build a customer base and community. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

He said the Night Market has exposed the Botanist Daughter Shop to locals and tourists, adding that this exposure has helped them build a customer base and community. His wife who had worked as a florist for years wanted to start her own business, which led them to convert a trailer into a flower shop.

Rini Jose said the chamber is planning to seek feedback from this year's market to hear from the community on what they would like to see next year. The responses will help guide the direction of next year’s Night Market.

Jose said the entire community plays a role in the market’s success.

“I think the community is the main aspect who makes this event successful. Like our vendors, our staff, volunteers, our sponsors. You know, the community partners-they all make this event.”

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Newsroom Ethics • About our Newsroom • Report an Error • Corrections & Clarifications