St Lawrence Market area and the Market Street urban park

Thursday, May 30, 2024

St Lawrence Market area and the Market Street urban park

Toronto's favourite old timey purveyour of groceries since the very early 1800s sits in a neighbourhood that continues to change and improve. The north market building just across Front Street held a hodge podge of vendors selling ~~crap~~ I mean antiques and oddities, etc was demolished and the replacement is slowly being finished.

Market Street pedestrian urban park

For the past couple of years the neighbourhood and market associations have worked with the City to close the adjacent Market Street to vehicular traffic for the summer, in hopes of one day permanently closing the road to vehicles. The street was temporarily closed this year beginning May 27, 2024 and has been pedestriansized with extended patios, picnic tables and muskoka chairs. Market Street is a relatively small street, bounded by Front and The Esplanade that can now handle more seating, pop-up vendors and live performances.

The closure will allow Old Town Toronto to host a music series (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and a kids centric day (Thursdays). From their website - Events hosted by Old Town Toronto:

"I Heart Market Street Music Series – a selection of Toronto musicians appearing Tuesday & Wednesday, 11:30am – 1:30pm and 5pm – 7pm. This series is scheduled to run weekly until mid September and is free to attend. Click here now to find upcoming performance details.

I Heart Market Street For Kids – join us on select Thursdays 11am – 3pm (July 6th & 20th, August 3rd, 17th and 31st) for fun performances and face painting for kids. Click here now to find upcoming Kids Days info. (Please note these events are yet to be listed. Please check back shortly.)"

The surrounding area is a well known local and tourist area with iconic landmarks like the flatiron building and the market building itself along with a number of interesting sites like St. James Park, the Esplanade, Market Lane Park and the Toronto Sculpture Park.