These days, blossoms aren’t the only things opening up in Toronto. On May 6, the City of Toronto gave foodies and fresh produce fiends reason to rejoice with the announcement that the landmark St. Lawrence Market will be extending its weekday hours as well as opening its doors on Sundays.
The new (and improved) hours don’t come into effect on July 31 (the three-month advance notice is to give the Market’s 120 merchants, vendors and farmers adequate time to beef up their staff and adjust their operations). But within a few short weeks, you’ll be able to kick off your Sunday in true Torontonian style with a coffee and peameal bacon sandwich.
The extended hours are part of a pilot project with an initial duration of one year, after which a permanent operating schedule will be set. According to the City’s press release, “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.”
In truth, the Market’s hours were to have been expanded back in March 2020, but then, of course, Covid hit. During the following two pandemic years, life was challenging enough without struggling to make it to the Market before its premature 5 p.m. closing time. Blowback from frustrated shoppers was such that, in April of this year, City Hall conducted a public online survey asking for Torontonians’ feedback on how extended hours could best serve their shopping needs.
Mayor John Tory is not the only one who’s “excited” about the new operating hours. On Twitter, comments ranged from “This is great news! Took long enough though” to “Finally! So much more civilized. However you missed Mondays lol.”
Beginning July 31, the Market will be 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. It will be closed (at least for the time being) on Monday.
