More Food Options, New Vendors at Saint John Container Village this Season
SAINT JOHN — AREA 506 opens on May 19 with a mix of familiar and new faces in the Container Village, getting ready to welcome tourists and Saint Johners alike.
AREA 506 founder Ray Gracewood says that of the nearly 40 vendors at AREA 506, about ten of them are new this year.
“I love the idea of there being an element of surprise and delight at the village,” Gracewood says. “I love this idea of being a catalyst for small business.”
He says a handful of vendors from last year who did not have a permanent storefront went on to get one after their stint in the Village.
Even with the success and national recognition AREA 506 received for its initial run last year, nabbing an Innovator of the Year nod at the Tourism Association of Canada Awards, Gracewood says the AREA 506 team was assessing what could be done better in 2023 and has acted on those observations.
“The big one for us was food offerings and improving the whole food and beverage experience,” he says. While the feedback about the food available at the docks and at the viewing decks and patios was good, he says there were calls for different styles of food and the team put their focus on expanding those options this year.
“We have four different kinds of permanent restaurants that will be in the venue side, in the containers themselves, as well as the food trucks that will move to an area behind the docks and viewing deck… which extends our site about 40 feet into the parking lot.”
With food options now surrounding the viewing deck and even more seating available, AREA 506 will continue to be a great place to grab lunch, Gracewood says.
One of those new restaurants is Billy’s Express, a takeout spinoff of City Market mainstay Billy’s Seafood Company. Another is Catapult Coffee, which recently decided to become part of AREA 506.
“We had to make a really quick decision,” says manager Micah Hiltz, who got the call last month after another vendor decided not to return. After a quick calculation about staffing and equipment, it’s now full steam ahead with the container renovation to get it ready for the 19th.
Describing the new location as “Catapult Studio 2.0,” Hiltz says the AREA 506 location will be a smaller version of the original location on Princess Street. The focus will be on the drinks, with hot and cold coffee, tea, hot chocolate and lemonade on offer. They’ll also be bringing baked goods from the main store down to the container every day.
“And then we will have a representation there of our creative studio,” Hiltz says. “Pottery right now is probably what we’re focusing on the most… custom-made mugs, soap dishes, and bowls, as well as made-in-house candles and soaps and different crochet products like baskets.”
As with the other location, Catapult continues to support the work Outflow Ministry does with the homeless in Saint John.
“Every time they buy a cup of coffee or buy a pottery mug from us, they’re pouring back into the community.”
But food isn’t the only thing that will be tempting the expected 190,000 passengers and 75,000 crew arriving via the more than 75 cruise ships slated for this season.
Partridge Island Publishing is also making a splash at AREA 506, showcasing books from local authors.
“We’re hoping to get these books from Saint John, New Brunswick all around the world,” says managing director Amanda Evans.
The publisher is setting up a series of bookshelves in their half container space, with one reserved for their own works such as their four-installment anthology series with a Saint John focus: Houses in the Fog; Memories in the Fog; Secrets in the Fog, and the latest Lights in the Fog.
The rest of the shelf space is available for local self-published or independently published authors who want to reach a wider audience. Evans estimates they have about 25 to 30 additional authors who will be displaying their work at the shop.
“We can take on more authors if they’re interested,” she says, noting that they will take up to 20 copies of each book at a time. “We want to help people that are having a hard time getting shelf space.”
In addition to author signings and other such events, they’re also going to decorate their container with a map of all the places noted in the “Fog” series as a kind of alternative tourist guide for the Saint John literary set. As well they’ll be setting up an old-fashioned typewriter for people to get inspired by, at the front of the store.
What goes better with coffee and reading than a sharp pair of new glasses? Moncton’s Off the Wall Eyewear Emporium is also making its foray into Saint John via the Container Village this year with a spot by the famous graffiti wall. Fitting for a company that sells unique, stand-out and hard-to-come-by eyeglass frames.
Co-owner Steven Charlebois says the store will be targeting a mix of locals and tourists.
“Mainly it’ll be a lot of frames: Eyeglass frames, sunglasses. I think the days the boats are in we’ll be doing a lot of sunglasses,” he says.
During the non-cruise ship times it will operate like a regular store for people who need glasses.
“There will be two days a week where we will have licensed opticians, and people will be able to come in, get eyewear… get a prescription done. They’ll be able to bring their prescription to us and we’ll be able to make the lenses and dispense them in the next week.”
They also support local artists and this location will be no different, with paintings and other unique works available for sale.
Getting a new pair of glasses while having a beer waiting for a Sheepdogs concert is the kind of vibe Charlebois says fits with Off The Wall.
“We’re always looking for something different. Our motto is: We’re not your ordinary optical store. So why start now?” Charlebois jokes.
Musical programming at the venue has also been top of mind for the organizers according to Gracewood. There are already several weekends of programming scheduled, including the first three Saturdays starting with its May 19 opening.
“It’s really helped put Saint John on the map as a tourism destination,” Gracewood says. “We take that responsibility seriously and … we want to make sure we deliver an A+ experience.”
Alex Graham is a Huddle reporter in Saint John. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].