The Almonte community centre was buzzing with excitement as 106 local vendors gathered for the 14th annual Cheerfully Made spring market. This event has become a staple in the National Capital Region, drawing in about 2,000 people eager to support small businesses.
Emily Arbour, owner of Cheerfully Made and organizer of the market, expressed her excitement about introducing new people to Almonte, emphasizing the town’s accessibility to the city. The market featured a wide range of locally made products including bath and beauty items, fashion, food, home decor, kids toys, artwork, and more.
Businesses from as far as Montreal and Toronto made the journey to Almonte to showcase their products and connect with new customers. Meghan Patterson, owner of Blazing Bombs, was thrilled to see so many new faces discovering her products and providing positive feedback.
Carissa McCaig, owner of Copious, an upcycled clothing company, highlighted the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and showcasing Made in Canada options. Market goer Katrina Cotten expressed her appreciation for being able to connect with the makers themselves and learn about their businesses firsthand.
Overall, the success of the Cheerfully Made spring market demonstrates the abundance of creative entrepreneurs in the eastern Ontario region. Arbour emphasized that Ottawa is not just a government town, but a hub for innovative and talented individuals making a living through their passion for locally made products.