A new night market starting in downtown Chilliwack will feature authentic street food, artisan items and fresh produce.
The Chilliwack Night Market will be serving up the sizzle on July 2, from a fenced-in section of the old Empress parking lot, in partnership with the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association.
"We wanted to create something for the community to do on a hot summer night," said Tony Yang, owner of Chilliwack Night Market.
He says he's starting off slow, and has a long-term vision for the business.
"It's a five-year project to build this night market," said Yang. "I want to make it unique and special and fun."
So far there are about 20 vendors signed up, including Hofstede's Country Barn, who will ready to haggle with customers who want to negotiate a little wiggle room on their fresh produce prices.
He hopes to gather the most interesting international street food ideas from cuisines from all over the world, and is sending chefs to Korea and Japan to learn some of the tricks of the trade. But at this point, he is seeking more food vendors.
Night market offerings could eventually include food like Korean ribs, poutine, calamari and "raindrop cake" which is really "cool" to eat, he said.
There will eventually be more food stalls on-site than there were at the first market, which he called "a trial run," but some cooking equipment has been delayed at customs, and is sitting in a shipping container.
"We're going to try really hard to make it work," he said.
Entry to the market site will cost $1.
His company has signed an memorandum of understanding with the DT Chilliwack BIA to operate the night market.
"The BIA is happy to partner with the Chilliwack Night Market on this new venture," said BIA president Kyle Williams. "It may take a while to get established but we are very excited to have another event that will help showcase the downtown."
They had a trial run of the market on June 25, and the next market is July 2.
Chilliwack Night Market, Princess and Young, Saturdays, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.