Gibsons Public Market Announces First Three Vendors

Gibsons Public Market Announces First Three Vendors

GIBSONS, BC (July 11, 2016) – Three of the coveted nine permanent vendor spaces at the Gibsons Public Market have now been filled by a chocolatier, a florist and a coffee roaster.
Since the call for vendors in January more than 40 business owners have applied to open shop in the six-day-a-week market located on the ground level of the new community hub, facing the Gibsons Harbour.
“I come from Europe where markets are where all the interesting things happen, so this is where I want to be—right in the heart of the community,” says Sylvia Punguntzky, a professional chocolatier and owner of Art Meets Chocolate. The potential collaborations of other vendors is another perk of the market for Punguntzky who has developed her brand over the past five years by using premium chocolate blended with seasonal products to create innovative and delicious treats.
RainFlorist owner, Carina Torgerson, has been ready to branch off on her own for a while, but she has been looking for the right place where she would be able to interact with customers and work in a flexible and energetic setting.
“I plan to offer various flowers and plants species, but my true passion is to fashion creative expressions of the natural beauty that surrounds us—I have been getting a great response from customers who grow a greater appreciation for local plants through my arrangements.” She will offer services ranging from cut flowers to unique arrangements for special events.
The third space is reserved for the Bowen Island Coffee Company, a small-batch organic bean roaster. Since 2005, owners Victoria and Gino Rutigliano have mastered their slow roasting technique in search of the perfectly balanced, full-bodied and smooth cup of coffee. And, based on their 2012 America’s Best Espresso award, they have found it.
“We use an old-fashioned drum roaster and figured out the right mix of heat, air and time to maximize flavour. Slow roasting may not be how you make a lot of money,” he says, “but it’s how you make good coffee.” The couple plans on sharing some of their wisdom and love for the full experience of coffee with an on-site small roaster. The new market space will also feature a service window for early morning coffee service.
Rae Abbott, curator of the market floor, leads a group of volunteers who bring extensive experience in the food and retail industry to the task of finding the right vendor mix. The group is in negotiations with a baker, seafood vendor, deli/cheese operator, butcher and bistro operator.

“Our vendor selection criteria was heavily weighted in favour of local entrepreneurs, but it also considers the importance of creating a destination with unique items not available anywhere else on the Coast and balances this with the need to offer everyday family staples,” she says.
Talented and savvy entrepreneurs continue to step forward to take advantage of the synergy offered by a market environment. “The tremendous response we’ve received is also an indicator of the flourishing local economy on the Coast, everyone is very optimistic about the future,” says Abbott.
The Gibsons Public Market will be operated by the non-profit Gibsons Community Building Society. Approximately 70% of the hub will be dedicated amenity space what will facilitate education and engagement for sustainability literacy.
Along with the vendors, the ground floor will also host a community kitchen, a commercial kitchen, and provide access to outside green space. From here, visitors will see the bottom part of BC’s tallest water fish tank which will stand through the three floors of the building.
The main floor of the Gibsons Public Market will be home to the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre, a licensed bistro and other public gathering amenities. The third floor will provide meeting facilities and some office space.
The committee is now working to fill the spaces for a green grocer and applications continue to be received for that opportunity.
Gibsons Community Building Society
The Gibsons Community Building Society (GCBS) is building and will operate the vibrant year-round Gibsons Public Market. The facility will feature a marine education centre, a community kitchen, community gathering amenities and meeting rooms, a rentable commercial kitchen for new incubator businesses, a bistro and a 6-days-a-week public market. More than 70% of the 13,500 square foot building will be dedicated to community amenities.
The GCBS has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and a Board of Directors and Governors that continues to attract financial, material and in-kind donations to make the project a reality. Construction is underway, with a planned opening of late Fall 2016. Project partners are Community Futures, Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, and the Town of Gibsons.

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Contact:
Nancy Grenier, Gibsons Community Building Society
604-741-3421 (m) | ngrenier@telus.net
Public market floor plan and high-resolution images of the building are available upon request.

GIBSONS COMMUNITY BUILDING SOCIETY (operator of the Gibsons Public Market)
604-886-8814 | www.gibsonspublicmarket.com
PO Box 191, 473 Gower Point Road, Gibsons BC V0N 1V0