It’ll be like a scene inside Arnold’s Drive-in from an episode of Happy Days.
The Chemainus Public Market already contains Archie’s Ice Cream Parlour and Diner that brings back memories of yesteryear but will be further enhanced Saturday, Feb. 17 with a 1950s sock hop for its grand reopening under the ownership of businessman Warren Goulding.
“It could also be kind of a Valentine’s connection,” Goulding said. “Bring your sweetheart for a sock hop.”
The market concept was originally devised with just this type of event in mind for a special occasion. Goulding is an original co-owner of the market at 9790 Willow St., who returned as the sole owner in the fall of 2023 after purchasing the shares of Tony van de Mortel and Patricia Berry.
Related story: Goulding returns as Chemainus Public Market’s owner
“That was always in the plans right back in 2020,” said Goulding. “We were going to do a sock hop with the Archie’s connection and the jukebox.”
Those plans got derailed in the first year by COVID. But now it’s time for a revival and to crank out those rock ‘n’ roll classics through the jukebox and with Jay Stevens & Friends performing live.
“The important thing is there’s no admission charge,” noted Goulding. “Everybody’s welcome.”
The music with Stevens & Friends gets going at 6 p.m. but there will be more things happening before that.
“Throughout the day, we’re going to have a lot of table vendors,” said Goulding.
Specials will be tied into the ’50s theme with hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and old fashioned ice cream delights like sundaes and milkshakes.
The vendor tables will be folded up by 4 p.m. and the area turned into a dance floor for the sock hop.
The music will go on until about 9 p.m. and there will be a twist contest, spot dance and prizes for the best dressed ’50s couple.
Like the Beach Boys might say, it’s all about having Fun, Fun, Fun.
“Maybe it’s an opportunity to go back to some simpler times and forget about all the strife we seem to have on our minds right now,” reasoned Goulding.
It’s only the tip of the ice cream dish for serving up more of the same.
“We’ve got a couple of other events planned,” hinted Goulding. “A lot of it’s going to revolve around the food.”
He added it’ll be a great opportunity for locals to revisit the market or discover it for the first time as well as to spread the word around the Cowichan Valley about the establishment.
“There’s a lot of people in Chemainus aren’t even aware of the market,” pointed out Goulding. “We’ve got to remedy that and this is part of it. I think it’s a nice attraction for the town.
“We’ve got some new things we’ve just set up here that maybe weren’t here when they visited a year ago.”
The market has been revamped with some new additions combining with the established vendors. The overall lineup currently includes: Opposites Attract; Crystals & Collectables; Wizard’s Arcade; Winning Touch Massage; Books, Hobbies & More; Jennifer O’Brien – Broken Wing Studio; Author’s Corner; Maple Lane Catering; Colourwheel Salon; Connemara Studio; Cim MacDonald Studio; Captain Andy’s Fish & Chips; Coffee Row; Archie’s Ice Cream Parlour and Diner; Flippin Bee Crazy; Happy Tribe Treasures; and Brickitty-Dooda.
