Hours of operation at the City of Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market will be expanded for a one-year pilot project, starting this Sunday, July 31.
The pilot project is the result of a recent review of the Market’s hours of operation, which included public feedback and an evaluation of how operational improvements can help the Market better serve residents of Toronto and visitors to the city.
New operating hours for the South Market (main building) under the pilot will be:
The St. Lawrence Market Saturday Farmers Market will continue to operate from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekly.
As the Market transitions into the expanded hours of operation, Tuesdays will be a flexible day for South Market merchants for the first six weeks. Each Tuesday, up to and including Tuesday, September 6, some merchants may be closed to the public or operate with reduced hours. St. Lawrence Market will keep customers informed of modified merchant operations on Tuesdays on its website. All merchants will be open for the full duration of operating hours on all other days.
The pilot will run for one year from July 31 and will inform a more permanent operating schedule for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. The revised hours of operation will make the Market more accessible with service hours that meet visitors’ changing needs and preferences.
The changes include having the Market open on Sundays, as well as later morning opening times and later weekday evening closing times. Consumer feedback received in the recent public survey conducted by the City indicated that there was high demand for customers to be able to shop after regular office working hours and on Sundays as an additional weekend shopping day. Based on this feedback the expanded operating hours include two additional hours of operation each weekday evening and a seven-hour additional shopping day on Sundays.
Events and activities on Sunday, July 31
St. Lawrence Market encourages Toronto residents and visitors to join the expanded hours opening celebrations this Sunday. The Market will open at 10 a.m. and the first 2,000 customers will receive a free, reusable shopping bag.
On site to kick-off the Market’s new operating hours and the new Sunday Chef Series with live cooking demonstrations and samples will be Toronto’s own Chef Victor Barry (Chef-Owner PIANO PIANO). Chef Victor and his family will show off their pizza-making skills in the wood-fired pizza oven using fresh ingredients from St. Lawrence Market merchants. Demonstrations, which will run from noon to 2:30 p.m., will show how to make fresh pizzas with the entire family. Chef Victor will be available in person to provide great Italian cooking tips.
Additional St. Lawrence Market Sunday Chef Series events will be announced in the coming days.
On Sunday, visitors can also enjoy food and beverages inside the Market and outside on the pedestrianized Market Street. Delicious snacks from Market merchants will be available for sale outside on Market Street, along with beer, wine and cocktails by partner SIP Niagara and the Gastro Guru Jeremy Parsons.
Kids and families can enjoy roaming performers including magicians and balloon twisters, while visitors of all ages will hear live jazz music throughout the day.
More information about the hours of operation pilot project and upcoming events is available on the St. Lawrence Market website.
Quotes:
“The new hours of operation pilot project will ensure that more people – residents and visitors to our city – have the opportunity to experience this amazing, historic Toronto destination. I encourage everyone to visit the St. Lawrence Market and take advantage of the new hours this weekend and in the weeks and months to come to support our fantastic Market vendors.”
– Mayor John Tory
“I know many Toronto residents in our ward and around the city are looking forward to having more opportunities to shop at St. Lawrence Market. The Market is an amazing destination in our city and a place that we should all celebrate this weekend and always.”
– Councillor Buxton-Potts (Toronto Centre)
“For me, the magic of a great meal comes from sharing the experience with friends, family and loved ones. I’m so excited to be able to share the flavours of St. Lawrence Market with everyone this Sunday and that food-lovers from Toronto and beyond will have even more opportunity to savour the Market experience with the expanded hours of operation.”
– Chef Victor Barry, Chef-Owner PIANO PIANO
St. Lawrence Market is a renowned international food market featuring 120 merchants, vendors and farmers, offering fresh produce, meats and specialty items. Serving Toronto residents and international visitors since 1803, the market is regularly recognized as one of Toronto’s most popular destinations and was ranked the number one food market in the world by National Geographic. The St. Lawrence Market Complex consists of St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market – the latter now in its temporary home at 125 The Esplanade. For information about the St. Lawrence Market Complex, visit www.stlawrencemarket.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.