Paradise Foods International is hoping to bring a "new fresh look" to the downtown core with a new market area, with enough available space for six new retail operations.

The new "Paradise Market" will be located on the first floor of 117 Third Street N.E.; the space was formerly occupied by the Rack House, which is now located in the basement of the building.

Grant Marcotte, director of marketing for Paradise Foods, said there will be more than 720 sq. metres of space available for leasing in the new building, enough for six or even seven stores if necessary.

Paradise Foods is undertaking this project, said Marcotte, because they have an ongoing interest in revitalizing the downtown core, which has seen only a few major renovation projects, including the Canada Post and City Hall moves, within the past few years.

"It will just be a fresh look in a new place," said Marcotte.

To that end, Paradise Foods, which is located on the building's third floor, has shouldered the cost of renovation, and will also be responsible for managing the downstairs commercial space.

Of the six spaces available, two stores have been spoken for. Renovations are still ongoing in the Paradise Foods building, and Marcotte said they hope to be at least partially completed by Nov. 1. The building with its two current stores should be fully open by Nov. 15, he said.

All six stores will be located along a corridor stretching from the Souris Avenue entrance to the Third Street Avenue entrance.

Close to the Souris Avenue entrance will be a small sitting area and a three-metre high recycling waterfall. Marcotte said the waterfall is being installed to provide a calming effect for those at the sitting area, as well as to give the place a new and different look.

Marcotte said he hopes to provide a display space for local artists, as well as artists from across the province.

Marcotte said he also hopes to provide a space near the Third Street entrance for schools to display students' work.

Marcotte said the concept for the market is similar to that of the Eau Claire market in Calgary.

"It should be a gathering place, as it was for the Co-op," he said.

Marcotte said that, while only two commercial operations have been slotted into the new Paradise Market, he is "optimistic" to have the entire market assigned by Dec. 1.

Paradise Foods International was formerly known as Paradise Herbs until the company instituted a name change earlier this year.