The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption and hardship in nearly every aspect of our lives, and to this day it continues to weigh heavily on our economy. As a result of COVID-19 and the provincial restrictions that ensued thereafter, many vendors were forced to shut down their businesses with the closure of the previous flea market in Pickering.

 

My business partner and I became aware of the need in Durham to resurrect their beloved flea market. We then set out to become a resilient leader for local small businesses during these unprecedented times and decided to open a brand-new vendor market. Although opening a market was not what we had originally planned when acquiring 19 Notion Rd, the opportunity to help small businesses have a stable home where they can grow and succeed took priority for us. 

 

During the early stages of development, we worked extremely hard and experienced many challenges along the way. However, through our consistent resilience, decisive action, courage, and focus, we have succeeded in bringing this new and exciting opportunity of Active Marketplace to the Town of Ajax and the surrounding region.

 

While we are all ready to put the pandemic behind us, looking back, I am proud of our accomplishments and how we responded to the changes going on in the world around us. Looking forward, I am eager to see what the future holds, and excited to begin this part of the journey.

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- Zahid Malik, Co-founder of Active Marketplace - Durham Flea Market