Contact Us

Kitchener Market
300 King Street East
Kitchener, ON
N2G 2L3
Phone: 519-741-2287
e-mail: info@kitchenermarket.ca

History of the Farmers’ Market

Our farmers’ market is among the oldest consistently operating markets in Canada. Its vibrant colours, fresh-from-the-field produce, lively chatter and friendly faces have been enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area for more than 130 years.

The market is a proud tradition in the city. It links young with old, past with present and rural with urban.

The beginnings of the farmers’ market can be traced to the first Mennonite settlements in Waterloo Region. In the 1830s, farmers who produced more than their families could consume, held outdoor markets in the Village of Berlin (now the City of Kitchener) to share their abundance with others.

The first permanent market structure was built in 1869. That year, town council approved the expenditure of $7,000 to construct a two-storey town hall to house the farmers’ market, Council Chambers, a public library and a post office.

By 1872, the market had grown so popular that the initial site became too crowded and a new market building was needed. It was constructed behind the town hall. This building was home to the market for 35 years.

In 1907, the farmers’ market was built on the same site to accommodate the growing population. A two-storey red brick building was constructed and served as the location of the farmers’ market for well over 60 years.

In 1973, the Market Square building, a downtown Kitchener shopping mall, became home to the new market. A 1972 brochure announcing the market’s anticipated move made a commitment to residents stating: “There’ll always be a market in Kitchener…the Kitchener Farmers’ Market will not close this year, next year – ever.”

Continuing with its legacy of culture and tradition, in the spring of 2004, the Market opened in a new marquee site on King Street, between Cedar and Eby Streets. Marking the eastern entranceway to downtown Kitchener, the facility is one of the most beautiful and contemporary markets in all of Canada.

Although the location of the farmers’ market may have changed over the years, the tradition and spirit of the market in Kitchener has not. The market has become a part of the city’s cultural identity and is rooted in our natural and human heritage. It is, and always will be, an integral part of the community in Kitchener.

Parking at the Market

The City of Kitchener provides convenient, safe and accessible parking facilities for patrons of Kitchener Market in the facility’s parking garage and in the Market Square parking garage. These parking structures are among the first in the city to be fully automated, providing customers with flexible payment options and a hassle-free parking experience.

Two hours free parking in the Kitchener Market parking garage. (Enter off of Cedar Street.)

There is also free parking for the first two hours on Saturdays, during market hours, at both the Market Square parking garage (enter off either Duke Street or Scott Street) and Madison Avenue South parking lot. (lot 18 - located on the block of King, Cedar, Duke, and Madison)

Additional parking locations are available online on the City of Kitchener website.

Near the Market

Downtown Kitchener has four distinctive and dynamic districts –

the Market District, The Warehouse District, the Civic District and the City Centre District.

Just as the Warehouse District is the downtown’s gateway in the West, the Market District is the gateway in the East. A thriving area with a rich blend of culturally diverse restaurants and shops, it offers visitors and residents alike, a unique, cosmopolitan experience in Kitchener’s downtown.

The international flavour of the market spills over into the surrounding neighbourhoods where many food stores, restaurants and other culturally diverse businesses thrive on their close proximity to one of the country’s most beautiful and contemporary marketplaces.

Physically, Kitchener Market serves as the cornerstone for the district and as an eastern entrance feature for the downtown, but more importantly, it’s sure to be a hub of culture, shopping and tourism and the catalyst the core requires to promote positive change and growth.

Every year, Kitchener plays host to thousands of business travelers, individuals and families who come to sample our city’s unique blend of history, hospitality and progress. We offer our citizens, visitors and corporate residents a rich urban life, balanced with a never-ending list of cultural and recreational activities. Our city is literally alive with festivals, events and activities all year.

The Waterloo Region Children’s Museum. Centre in the Square. Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts. Victoria Park. Whatever your interests, there’s something for you in downtown Kitchener.

Check out what's happening in downtown today.

Directions

Directions from Toronto
Estimated driving time: 75 minutes. Approximate distance: 110 km

• Take highway 401 West
• Exit at highway 8 West (exit number 278) towards Kitchener-Waterloo
• Continue along Highway 8, which will eventually become King Street, and leads directly into downtown Kitchener
• The Market is located on the right side of King Street, between Cedar and Eby Streets. Turn right on Cedar Street to enter the market parking garage.

Directions from London
Take Highway 401 East, towards Toronto

• Exit at Highway 8 West (exit 278 B) towards Kitchener-Waterloo
• Continue on Highway 8, which becomes King Street and will lead you directly into downtown Kitchener.
• The Market is located on the right side of King Street, between Cedar and Eby Streets. Turn right on Cedar Street to enter the market parking garage.

Directions from Stratford
Take Highway 7/8 east from Stratford towards Kitchener-Waterloo

• Exit at the Courtland Avenue, following the cutoff around to the right.
• Follow Courtland Avenue to Cedar Street and turn right.
• Follow Cedar Street to King Street. The Market will be directly ahead of you.
• Cross over King Street and find the entrance to the parking garage on the left.

Directions from Waterloo
Take Highway 85 South to the Lancaster Street West exit.

• Turn slight right onto Lancaster West and continue.
• Turn right onto Frederick Street and follow to King Street.
• Turn left onto King Street East and follow to Cedar Street.
• Turn left on Cedar Street where you will see the entrance to the market parking garage.

Directions from Guelph
Take Highway 7 West which will become Victoria Street in Kitchener.

• Follow Victoria to King Street and turn left.
• Follow King Street to Cedar Street and turn left again. There you’ll find the entrance to the parking garage.