For the last four years, this beautiful, circa 1880 Second-Empire-style building has been home to Meaford’s 100 Mile Market. Well, the Market’s moving soon, but it will continue to offer the local produce, meat and other goodies that have made it a popular Meaford destination.

Barb Kay and David Harper moved to Meaford originally to raise elk at their farm south of town. Stonyfield Antiques and Elk Farm which produces and markets elk velvet antler, a natural medicine used in China for thousands of years, as well as delicious low-fat elk meat. When they bought the building on Trowbridge Street in Meaford, they initially looked for a business to occupy half of the ground floor. But then an idea struck. Inspired by the 2007 book, The 100 Mile Diet, by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, the couple decided to open a store that sold only goods produced within 100 miles of Meaford. It provided a welcome outlet for local food producers and artisans, and it became an almost instant hit.

David passed away suddenly two years ago, and Barb has continued to run the successful business. But she knew there was potential to grow it more than she was able to on her own. So recently, she suggested to the operators of another unique local business that there might be a fit.

EcoInhabit sells environmentally friendly building supplies; organic and natural kitchen, bed, bath and personal care products; and locally crafted custom furniture and cabinetry.

The store, which operates out of a beautifully converted barn on Highway 26 just east of Meaford, seemed like the perfect place in which to grow the 100 Mile Market. Owners Jan and Tim Singbeil and Rob and Kara Wildeman agreed.

“I’m really pleased that these folks are willing to take it the next step and the next level and do bigger and better things with it,” Barb told the Owen Sound Sun Times.

The new owners took over the Market a couple of weeks ago, and will change locations once everything’s in place.