The newest—and youngest—member of the Uptown Urban Market on Second Avenue is an 11-year-old aspiring entrepreneur.
Ayden Oickle, born and raised in Port Alberni, has been spending time in the garden since he was as young as three years old.
“My dad helped me getting started,” Ayden explained.
Ayden’s father, Daniel Oickle, said that Ayden picked up an affinity for helping out in the garden at a young age. Daniel also gardens as a hobby. By age seven, Ayden had started selling his succulents on the street corner and learning how to propagate.
Now, Ayden is a vendor at the Uptown Urban Market—a small market on Second Avenue that features a number of local artisans, bakers, growers and more. The market is co-managed by partners Keith Ambrose and Marie Knoll.
The Uptown Urban Market uses a “non-competitive” model, where vendors work together, explained Ambrose. Ayden works on a casual basis, and other members of the market look after his table while he is away.
“That’s what this market is all about,” said Ambrose.
Ambrose said that he had received a phone call a few months ago from Ayden’s mother, Sarah Kettner-Oickle, who wanted to introduce Ayden to the market.
“When I found out he was ten, I was so impressed that I went to see his growing operation,” Ambrose explained. “He was already in business for himself, he just wanted to expand. [Marie Knoll and I] immediately wanted to help.”
Ayden said that he likes succulents because they are able to be re-potted and re-homed without much difficulty. “They’re a nice, hardy plant,” he explained. “It’s a really good plant to just keep going on and on. If you have weeds in them, they will still survive.”
Ayden, who will be going into grade six this year, has two younger siblings who also like to help out in the garden. Ayden says that he has not chosen a favourite plant.
“He’s a very intelligent young man, and we just want to encourage him,” said Ambrose. “He’s already got a lot of support from his family.
“I can’t wait to see what he becomes.”
The Uptown Urban Market is located at 3135 Second Ave and operates three days a week until the end of September: Fridays from 12-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.