Supporting local easy to do when shopping and local markets
After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Skinner’s Locks Market is making its grand return this summer with local small business owner Christina Barr taking over the reins.
Barr describes this market as a collection of entrepreneurs, somewhat like a large farmer’s market, and as a great attraction to check out in Lockport.
“Joy Sul started it. It’s just kind of helping to support and shine a light on local makers. We do offer some spots to direct sales like Tupperware, but we’re limiting each Sunday to just four of those, and the rest will be either homemade, homegrown, home baking and things like that,” said Barr.
The first market of the season takes place on June 15 and the market will run all summer long until Sept. 7. The market sets up every Sunday and runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Skinner’s Locks Market takes place right beside the River Rd. Skinner’s restaurant location and Barr was glad to be able to take on this venture in our community.
“I think it’s just such a great thing to showcase the local makers, and especially, with all the economic instability and stuff. It’s been really, really hard for small businesses, so just having a market that was really well established for them to come to and share their work with everyone is great. And then it’s just such a nice thing to add on to Skinner’s itself. People go for their Sunday drive down River Rd. They come for their world-famous hot dog and then there’s a market to take in as well. It’s just a nice extra thing to have on your Sunday,” said Barr.
She herself understands the hard work that goes into running a small business in our area as Barr, herself is the owner of Barr Soap and Bud & Bloom. She also understands the value that these markets hold to those making local products as a way to connect with our community as she’s also run markets in Selkirk.
“Doing our markets in Selkirk, everyone is always so warm and welcoming, and I know we’ve even had people saying like, ‘Thank you so much for putting this on it’s so great for our community.’ So, just seeing the joy that events like this can bring to people (is my favourite part). And, it’s always nice getting together with other makers we haven’t seen for a while, and I always say that we’re a big maker family. It’s nice to have like a family reunion at events like this,” said Barr.
The market is currently still looking for more local vendors who would like to share their wares with our local community.
“We can fit quite a few, given that the parking lot is so big, some categories are full, like we always fill up quickly for Bath and Body and jewelry. That being said, we do have some spaces for those on certain weekends,” said Barr.
She says that residents will have a lot to see regardless of which weekend they stop by as they plan to have about 25 to 30 vendors.
“We’re going to have soaps. We have jams every weekend. We’ve got some woodworking, we’ve got sewing products, like pet bandanas, bowl cozies all kinds of jewelry. It’s just a nice mix of locally handmade items,” said Barr.
She says that this is a market that will have a little something that everyone might enjoy.
“Even if they’re not wanting to purchase anything, just come out and, check out what is there and enjoy the sun and atmosphere. Take a look at the world famous Lock and Dam that’s there. All the geese are nesting right now and just take in a wonderful event that’s free to attend. You don’t have to buy anything. We certainly do encourage you to buy and support the local makers. But it’s just nice to walk around and see the smiling faces and show people that we don’t have to buy from makers in order to be supportive of them. Some of us have been, we struggled through COVID, and now we’re struggling through all the tariffs. And so, it’s nice just to know that people are encouraging and enjoying looking at the things we make,” said Barr.
Also, make sure to look out for the booth each Sunday that’s dedicated to a local charitable organization as there are many people in our community doing good work that need support.
And, if you run a charitable organization get in touch with Barr about possibly setting up a booth at the market.
Residents can contact Barr about being involved with the market at budandbloomcollective@gmail.com.
