The Ringside Market

When I have been out riding my bike and I have been stopped by visitors asking "which way to town?" Hornby doesn't have a town, but we have something even better - The Ringside Market.

Co-op
Veggie shopping at the Co-op

The Ringside Market is a circle of intimate shops, cafés, artisan booths and the Co-op and Gasbar. This is where islanders, summer residents and visitors come together to grab a bite, get that important plumbing bit, or have our bikes tuned up. More than just a being our commercial centre, Ringside is also the social heart of Hornby. More "business" is done in the produce section of the Co-op than just about anywhere else. The Co-op porch is where you can find out about upcoming events, meetings and what movie is playing that weekend. Just down the stairs you will find the Community Quilt hanging all summer - buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win this incredible hand stitched masterpiece which has been painstakingly assembled throughout the winter. Every summer the proceeds are dedicated to a local organization and buying a raffle ticket is a great way to contribute to the ongoing sustainability of our community.

Jans
Jan's Patio

Jan's Café and VORIZO are once again inviting you to enjoy some excellent and tasty snacks and meal on their charming and idyllic patios and outdoor seating areas. Island Potters is continuing to represent local and regional potters, including exquisite work by Deb Taylor and Rachelle Chinnery. Next door to the Island Potters, Donna Tuele operates a tourist service desk in her delightful and charming Coast Realty office. Jeremy Payne and Ira Vet of Hornby Outdoor Sports run a fully equipped bike shop and also book kayak trips from their shop. Not only has the Bike Shop expanded to kayaks they are also selling some great accessories and gear - these guys rock. Dale and Alex Armstrong of Lix Espresso and Hornby Island Coffee Roasting Co. continue to expand their coffee business and their family with a new baby and increasing distribution of their fantastic Hornby roasted coffee. Visit their website to find out where you can purchase their product off-island.

Vorizo
A coffee after a morning
ride is a great way
to start the day

The Ringside also hosts a number of other small businesses that contribute to make the mix delightful and useful all at once. Fibres and Celestial Sphere round out fulfilling our clothing and accessories needs, selling fun and funky from around the world to high quality ladies wear. If you are after a good book for some beach reading, 32 Books Co. will amaze you with an extensive and current selection - incredible for such a compact space. Many local artisans sell their wares at booths around the Ringside Market.

Bird Is The Word
Tessa paints the
Bird is the Word bus

We can not forget the Co-op and Gasbar. Hornby is a small, remote community, but our Co-op manages to pretty much have it all. From staples to organic and exotic to treats it is here. Downstairs you can find hardware, clothing, all manner of beach toys and useful items as well as a liquor outlet. The Co-op is essential to those that live on Hornby year round and we encourage you to support this very important resource. You will quickly notice that as of summer 2010 there is a fantastic new GasBar, across Bond Road from the Ringside Market. A huge amount of community volunteer hours contributed to constructing this handsome little building.

Across the street from the Ringside Market you will find the Beulah Creek Nursery. The Nursery is a realization of a long held dream of Toglia Baird's and she is sharing the space with Bird is the Word and the Fruit Stand. Wander through the greenhouses and enjoy the property will munching on Chef Ben's superb eats, then you can stop at the Fruit Stand (designed by acclaimed builder Lloyd House) to pick up a wide array of seasonal Okanagan fruit and vegetables, which are available Wednesday to Sunday all summer long.