| Next door to... |
| Neighbouring Neighbourhoods next door to this one! |
| Where in Toronto? |
| Boundaries of the 'hood |
| Belongs to, falls in, or is a part of... |
| • Former municipality Old Toronto |
| • Municipal Ward |
| • School Ward |
| • Community Council |
| • Federal Riding |
| • Provincial Riding |
| • St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association |
| • Missed something, put it here! |
The agricultural mural on the south end of the north St. Lawrence Market building makes for a great photo opportunity.
| Best known for |
| • Maybe it's got a cool event |
| • or even another event |
| • or a secret or whatever! |
One Sentence Description
We're the neighbourhood with the coolest tagline!
About this neighbourhood
The area is the site of the city's original market. Though popular most of the week, the market comes to life on Saturdays with local farmers, artists and artisans plying their wares. This historic area also has numerous old warehouses that have been converted into residences, stores, restaurants and pubs.
What's Fun ?
The best day to visit is Saturday. Farmers arrive prior to the 5:00 a.m. opening time to set up their kiosks, and by 7:00 the place is humming. There are outdoor kiosks as well, even in winter, and the market takes on a special atmosphere prior to major holidays, when vendors are selling Christmas trees, wreaths, or whatever is seasonally appropriate.
Hungry?
The true Torontonian will enjoy breakfast at the market – be sure to visit the Carousel Bakery for a Canadian Peameal Bacon sandwich. Peameal bacon is a Canadian favourite – salt- and sugar-cured extra lean ham, rolled in cornmeal. It’s a signature snack of Toronto, and well worth trying out.
History
The St. Lawrence Market stands where the very beginnings of Toronto were established in 1793, in what is today referred to as the “Old Town of York” (corner Front and Jarvis Sts.) The original city market stood one block north (King and Jarvis Sts.), in a structure that also held the city council chambers. However, a fire in 1849 destroyed most of the neighbourhood.
The current market comprises two buildings, one either side of Front St. The south market building dates from 1905, an imposing red brick structure incorporating what remains of the original City Hall. One merely has to stand in front of the main market entrance to see how one building has wrapped itself around the other. In the 1970’s, the former council chambers on the second floor were transformed into a civic art gallery, which presents an on-going photographic exhibit on the development of Toronto.
St. Lawrence Market’s north building is open on Saturdays only, and features fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products, often sold by the same farmers who produce them. The south building houses dozens of permanent vendors over two floors, and operates Tuesdays through Saturdays. The St. Lawrence experience is perhaps a more genteel one than in Kensington Market (it’s been called Toronto’s “yuppie” market), but the quality, selection, and prices are nonetheless very good.
When Toronto’s first market opened in 1793, the shops in the neighbourhood were obliged to close from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on “Market Day”, to allow their workers time to shop. As the market’s closing bells sounded, the shopkeepers then opened their doors, marking what may have been the first after hours shopping hours in Canada.
Who are the people in your neighbourhood?
Neighbourhood personalities, for example...
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the nice librarian
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the cool busker
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the friendly crossing guard
and where to meet them.
Housing and Accommodations
What's the housing scene like? How much for how much? Architecture Styles. Price Ranges. How new or old are most of the housing here? Condominiums, Townhouses... Major complexes, best apartment buildings, golden cockroach award? If applicable: Hotels / Motels / Hostels / Bed and Breakfasts for out-of-towners, here's the scoop.
Transit
Transportation overview, transit options, bike lanes, official routes, highways, Bus. Streetcar. Subway. TTC routes which pass through or cover this neighbourhood. TTC stations / Go Transit / Greyhound Stops
Major Streets and Intersections
Major thoroughfares through this neighbourhood, if any. Existing ones or those planned for the future. Major North-South streets. Major East-West streets.
Parks and Recreation
Indoor outdoor pools, wading pools, waterslides, splashpads, arenas, rinks, golf courses, etc Off leash dog walking areas. Nice places to walk and talk.
Schools
Also see Neighbourhoods for info on other areas of Toronto
