Author of the article: Rosemary Godin, PNI Atlantic Published Apr 23, 2025 • 2 minute readWith a great sense of humour and an extensive repertoire of music to suit all tastes, Just Jammin’ was winning over the crowd at the Cape Breton Artisan Market last Saturday in Spanish River. Above, Ricky MacLeod and Brian Degaust sang some “oldies but goodies” to the delight of dozens of buyers looking for local products to buy. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTThe smell of fish and chips wafted from the on-site kitchen of the Cape Breton Artisan Market in Spanish River Saturday morning.Organizer, Robert Bushell, who opened the market in January to replace the downtown Sydney farmers market (Cape Breton Farmers’ Market) couldn’t have been happier. Farmers Mark Jantunen and his daughter, Ketty, of Southside Boularderie can barely keep up with the demand for their homemade chow relish each week at the Cape Breton Artisan Market. As well as an assortment of pickled items – both sweet and tart – Bull and Tree Farm sells salsas and tomato sauces and other items as they come into season. Jantunen says fresh vegetables will be hitting the tables within a couple of weeks. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTEvery Saturday morning, the crowd has been getting bigger and with the farmers just about ready to start harvesting early spring crops, he expects business to boom right along with the fresh fiddleheads and asparagus soon to be sold.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We’ll have more room for vendors inside as some (farmers) will be setting up outside in the parking lot, he explained on Saturday. Sydney Mines potter and artist, Paul MacDonald, has been a regular vendor at the Cape Breton Artison Market ever since it first began last January. He said last Saturday’s Easter Market was one of his best days yet. MacDonald has been making pottery ever since he was a teenager and on Saturday, was displaying some of his work that included a Japanese theme (not shown above). His work showcases pots in pastels of teals, yellows, pinks and browns. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTAbout half of the vendors have become weekly regular sellers, while others are there on a week-to-week basis. Bushell himself is a woodworker who crafts cutting and charcuterie boards as well as selling live-edge tables from time to time.Several sellers last Saturday at the Easter-themed day commented on how well the weekend had been. Most are looking forward to the Mother’s Day market coming up. Twelve-year-old Skylar McDonald has a regular assembly line going on at his house each week as he produces keychains for buyers with such interests as favourite characters and trends in the community. Animals, superheroes, hearts and Barbies are just a small sample of what he has to offer as keychains or pins. Skylar says he has great gifts for Mother’s Day or teacher’s gifts and designs through his home company Keychain Korner. He sets up a booth at the Cape Breton Artisan Market every Saturday morning. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTWith an emphasis on buying local in everyone’s minds these days, the wide selection of products available plus a free parking lot is a big draw for people looking for gifts or specialized food products such as fudge and sourdough bread. Shirley and Bart Connors come in from New Waterford every Saturday morning to sell their baking, jams, jellies and pickles to dozens of people seeking to buy local produce. Above, Shirley displays one of the infinity scarves that she also has on display. Hand-sewn kitchen items round out their table. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTAnd while shopping, it’s a bonus that people can listen to live music! Onstage Saturday were two musicians who call their group “Just Jammin’”. They are made up of Rickey MacLeod and Brain Degaust.Article contentBushell, who is hopeful the market will grow each week, says music adds ambience to the event. And so did the smell of those fish and chips! Katie MacKenzie of Donkin has her table laden with freshly-baked loaves of sourdough bread and cookies every Saturday morning when the Cape Breton Artisan Market opens up in Spanish River. She sells at markets in the area and also through her Facebook page called: Leaf.Loaf.Lore – an enchanted experience. A read through the flavours of her products explain the name! She says people can contact her through the FB page, place an order, and then pick it up at the market. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTIF YOU GOWhat: Cape Breton Artisan MarketWhen: Every Saturday 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Where: Spanish River Community Centre, 1842 Kings Rd., Sydney RiverWhy: Local artists, crafters, canners and bakers have had a good winter selling their products ever since this market opened in January. And now the farmers in the area are getting ready to descend on Spanish River as fresh crops are expected to start being ready as early as two weeks from now! But for now, locally produced fudge, sourdough, honey, and crafts of all kinds, as well as a restaurant on-site are bringing in the crowds. Knife sharpener, Jacques Couteaux, is always a welcome sight at the Saturday morning Cape Breton Artisan Market in Spanish River just outside Sydney on Kings Rd. A Westmount resident, Couteaux is able to sharpen smaller items such as scissors, hedge clippers and kitchen knives on-site. If larger items such as axes, garden tools, or larger circular saws come in, he takes them to his home workshop and people can pick them up at the market the next week. Most knives are sharpened for $5 and scissors start at $8. ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POST ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle content
Cape Breton Artisan Market success in Howie Centre
