OPINION
Without a doubt, the small business owners operating in the Hamilton Farmers Market need COVID supports available to all businesses. That they pay rent to a municipality, and thus do not qualify for the federal commercial rent assistance programs, should not mean they do not get reduced rent. Council passed a rent reduction program for Market vendors for the summer, and will need to extend it for the fall and early winter.
Outside of COVID, the Market is one of the best deals in commercial space anywhere. Central to the downtown, all the administrative work and overhead (maintenance, cleaning, utilities, etc) taken care of, and low rent.
Or, as the Real Estate agent for a Market vendor whose listed their business for sale “Great Sales. Very Low Rent. High Profits”.
Of course, as is a real estate listing, there is puffery involved.