Three Markets to Visit in Toronto
By: Thean Sargeant
Published on: November 25th, 2024
Markets — where people buy and sell produce, livestock, and other goods — are great places to search for niche or unique items. Different markets cater to different people. Some cater to people who want to support local fashion designers, while others cater to those looking for fresh foods. In Toronto, markets are popular as Torontonians generally look to support local businesses.
Kensington Market
Kensington neighbourhood doubles as a market. The area has College St. to its north, Spadina to its east, Bathurst to its west, and Dundas St. West to its south. What began as a movement to find housing and community is now home to a culturally and ethnically diverse population. Located within the community are typical businesses like healthcare services, dental clinics, nail salons, etc. Many people frequent the area for its range of restaurants offering global cuisine (Latin American, Native American, Caribbean, German, etc.), cafes, art, and vintage stores.
Pedestrian Sundays – the last Sundays of May to October are called Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington. On those days, streets are closed, the sidewalks are full of vendors’ products, and visitors walk on the road to get to the stores. Be sure to look out for the car used as a garden during the summer months.
The display became a recognized historical site in 2006 for its social and economic developments that mirror Canada’s multicultural mosaic. Here is a directory that can be useful in getting around the area.
STACKT market
Opening in 2019, this market is made up entirely of120 shipping containers. Its website describes Stackt as “North America’s largest shipping container market.” Stackt (often stylized STACKT or stackt) is a market located in downtown Toronto near the Bathurst St. and Front St. W intersection. It was a placeholder for potential developments and turned into a 15-year agreement when given a10-year extension on its lease five years after opening.
The market is set on local and international businesses sharing their products and services with the community. It features artistic talent with murals painted on the sides of containers. Here’s the website for Stackt artists.
There are plenty of options to choose from for food and drinks. They even have a brewery with drinks that are only available at Stackt. Retail options are available as well. If you’re unsure of where to go or if you want to go to an event there, check out this site.
Stackt Market won Public Space of the Year from Designlines Magazine in January 2020. In 2021, it was awarded Fast Company’s 2021 Innovation by Design Awards in the Retail Innovations category.
St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market is located at 92-95 Front St. East. The St. Lawrence Hall was constructed in 1850 as a meeting place and restored in 1967. Today, it operates as an event hall for special occasions and has retail businesses on the lower level.
The market consists of three buildings: The South Market, the North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall.
The South Market has a lot to offer. The lower level has a variety of produce and non-food items for sale. The North Market is currently under development and is nearing its completion. The city put up a temporary market at 125 The Esplanade, just south of the South Market. Ontarian farmers use this temporary building to continue selling their produce. The Saturday farmers’ market is free to enter, and its hours are from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Market’s upper level is called Market Gallery and consists of a museum and exhibition space. The exhibits use film, photography, and other media to show how Toronto has changed and developed over the past 150 years. General admission is free, but some exhibits charge an entry fee. Check this site for details on current exhibitions and a brief history of the Market’s exhibition space.
In 2011, National Geographic named St. Lawrence Market one of the top 10 food markets globally. St. Lawrence Hall became a historical site in 1967. For a guide on which stores to check out, visit here and plan accordingly. The market is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.