Saint John City Market Getting Upgrades That Include New Windows, Free Parking
This story is sponsored by The Saint John City Market. Sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Huddle.Today.
Canada’s oldest continuing farmer’s market is getting some new upgrades.
The Saint John City Market is undergoing some big renovations that includes new windows to replace the ones dating back to 1876.
“It’s going to ensure that the market is structurally sound and well-maintained and it’s going to ensure its future viability,” says Dave Kirkpatrick, manager of the Saint John City Market. “We view this as a gem within the city and we want to make sure it’s preserved for years to come.”
The installation of the windows will begin this Monday, June 26. It’s one of the market’s busiest seasons for both tourists and locals alike, so City staff are working closely with market merchants to ensure that there are little to no disruptions to their operations while the work is underway.
With more than 25 vendors and several different cultures represented, the Saint John City Market is the premier place to get fresh, local ingredients for every meal.
“When you shop at the City Market you’re buying local products from local vendors and every dollar spent stays in this community,” says Kirpatrick.
“The prices here are the same or less as what you’d pay at your normal grocery store,” says Kirkpatrick. “The difference here is that our vendors are experts in all of their products “If you have a question for them or if you want to know if it’s fresh or what would go good with a meal, these vendors can tell you exactly what works and what doesn’t work.”
The City Market is more than just a place to buy your ingredients; you can buy everything from local gifts to your lunch. No matter what you’re looking for, you can expect a friendly face to offer you the best expertise.
“The vendors and staff are interested in you,” says Kirkpatrick. “They’re interested in helping you have a great lunch, have a great meal and helping you pick out the right gift. It’s a family here, and they all care about their customers and they want to see them do well.”
Whether you’re local or visiting from away, the market has remained one of the top destinations in Saint John and New Brunswick. It’s a place where you can purchase food and gifts from the widest array of vendors in the province. Close to 90 percent of all tourist pass through the Saint John City Market doors.
“The city market puts you in a good mood. We’ve held on to our historic nature, but we offer the most diverse food court in all of New Brunswick and maybe Atlantic Canada, it has great positive energy” says Kirkpatrick.
For locals, the market is also Saint John’s top meeting place.
“It’s a place to come and catch up with old friends,” says Kirkpatrick. “You never know who you’re going to run into, but you’re sure you’re going to run into someone.”
Kirkpatrick says the market is also getting ready to launch free 30-minute parking for customers this summer, making stopping in for groceries or a bite on the way home from work that much easier.
“What we will be implementing is free parking on both sides of the market. We’re going to use a combination of pay and display as well as HotSpot Parking,” says Kirkpatrick. “With HotSpot, if you come and purchase $10 or more, vendors will be able to validate your parking so it’s completely free.”
Kirkpatrick says the market is also exploring plans for new vendors in the future, including a special project that has the potential to incorporate a brewpub. He says though the market will always have its historical charm, it will continue to be a landmark destination for present and the future visitors.
“It’s been the meeting place of Saint John for 141 years and we want to see it continue to be the meeting place of Saint John for next 140 years,” he says.
The City Market Upgrade project began in 2016, and is expected to take three more years to complete. Phase one was completed in 2016 and included an $800,000 upgrade to the Market pedway for the design, build and installation of a new entrance, elevator, stairwell and escalator.
Phase two includes the installation of new windows in the main hall. Additional phases of work will include the completion of renovations to the City Market Tower exterior and interior; HVAC and lighting upgrades; roof replacement for the main hall, and upgrades to the solarium seating area.
The Saint John City Market is the oldest continuing farmer’s market in Canada, and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1986. All efforts to preserve the facility, under the $6.2 million City Market Upgrade Project, are being carried out in accordance with National and Provincial Heritage Permits and as per design standards identified by the City’s Heritage Officer.