IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY - Residents were able to once again buy fabrics, jewelry, cupcakes, clothes, movies, books and the like as Cambridge Bay's monthly market was restarted last month.

Justice Corporon, left, and his mother Jennifer were out selling old video games, books and movies, just to name a few, at the Cambridge Bay monthly market on Sept. 18. The event, held in the community hall, was recently restarted by the hamlet in response to popular demand. - photo courtesy of Navalik Tologanak

The hamlet decided to revive the event on Sept. 18 at the demand of residents who were interested in setting up tables to sell merchandise, said recreation co-ordinator Fred Muise.

In talking to people who wanted the event to return – and based on its popularity in the past – the hamlet decided to try it again.

"I think it went very well. We had 12 tables people had rented. I didn't count the number of people that came in but it was a lot of people (that) came through the door," he said. "There were things from clothes to yard sale items like some videos and some movies ... video games. So basically stuff that people had they didn't want but somebody else wanted."

Cambridge Bay resident Gina Solomon rented one of the tables, selling fabrics, notions, craft supplies and fashion jewelry, for instance.

"It's a great way for me to try out new products with the community," she said. "It's also a very good way to meet the new people that have come to town and for them to get a glimpse of what it's like in Cambridge Bay without having to go to the little house sales."

Solomon said people loved the low-cost costume jewelry she was offering.

"I definitely make more money doing the community sales because I see a wider variety of people than I do with the small store I have," she said.

Jennifer Corporon said she suggested to her son Justice that he should clean his room and sell things he outgrew. She added both went to the market, selling video games, books, movies, housewares and two living room end tables.

"It's kind of an outing for us too. It's something to do that's different," she said.

Jennifer said she and her spouse might sell some items from their small business of framed Northern photos, gift cards and DVDs, as she said the market is a great way to reach Cambridge Bay residents, especially for those who don't have a storefront.

Muise said the next market is set for Oct. 16 in the community hall. The monthly market runs during the colder months, he added.

"I am expecting it to grow as people become more familiar with the fact that we're doing it on a regular basis," he said.

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