5 minute read
My Neighbourhood
Farmers’ Markets & Florists
There is something to be said about summer in Toronto – and it goes beyond the obvious appeal of hot days and long nights after an especially gruelling winter season. Our city comes alive in the summer with a full slate of events, activities, and seasonal businesses worth marking your calendar for as we look to make the most of each sun-soaked week. Perhaps one of our favourite summer staples is the resurgence of local farmers’ markets and flower shops that are in full bloom this time of year (see what we did there?).
From carefully curated flower arrangements, delicious coffee and treats, artisanal goods and gifts, and fresh, locally-sourced produce and food – seasonal markets pop up in each Toronto neighbourhood every year with something unique to offer. Whether you’re simply planning to stroll through a market with a coffee in hand on Sunday morning, or you’re after the perfect, aesthetically-pleasing bouquet to brighten up your condo, Toronto’s east-end markets and flower shops will never disappoint. With this in mind,
The Richards Group’s Cera Dann has rounded up her favourite spots in East Toronto that are not to be missed this summer.
The Leslieville Farmers’ Market
Leslieville’s best (not kept) secret, the Leslieville Farmers’ Market runs from May 15th to October every year and offers visitors the bliss of an open-air venue overflowing with farm-fresh goods provided by local vendors. Located at 150 Greenwood Ave, the Leslieville Farmers’ Market is unique not only because it aims specifically to support small, start-up farms and businesses but because it turns into a party on Sundays with live music.
Residents also note that the market offers a wide range of unique, delicious food, including Jamaican pies, butter chicken wraps, jerk ribs, Mexican coffee, puffball mushroom slices, natural popsicles, wine, and so much more. Not to mention, there is green space surrounding the market, as well as a playground for kids, which makes for a great picnic spot at lunch.
ecostems
If you’re into sustainable floral arrangements, look no further. Toronto’s best eco-friendly florist, ecostems offers shoppers unique, eye-catching designs that use only local, organic, and fair-trade flowers. Located at 364 King Street East, ecostem’s bespoke bouquets and arrangements are known for being fresh and beautifully wrapped (major aesthetic points). The local shop also offers an expansive selection of potted succulents, air plants and terrariums, which prove to be attractive options for anyone looking for easy-care plants.
With a focus on seasonality, the selection offered by ecostems changes week to week. The beloved east-end flower shop even offers custom-designed floral art pieces, quick delivery, and flower subscriptions for expertly-designed seasonal bouquets, arrangements or orchid plants delivered at regular intervals. After a long winter, I think we all need to soak in some sunshine, fresh air and greenery! It’s a great way to recover from a winter spent largely inside.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market
A Riverdale specialty, the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market is a beloved neighbourhood staple that runs from June to October on Tuesdays. The markets’ mission is simple but impactful: strengthen and revive the relationship between the vibrant Cabbagetown community and local, sustainable food initiatives. Notably, the market was designed specifically to provide members of the neighbourhood with an opportunity to reconnect with their sources of food and shop for goods in a more sustainable, healthy manner. With this in mind, the market offers shoppers an impressive selection of organic, fresh produce, bread, baked goods, flowers, pet treats, and so much more.
Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market vendors are known to be especially friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and the market sits right at the gates of Riverdale farm, which is both highly Instagrammable (if you’re into that sort of thing) and incredibly family-friendly for a summer outing. Some vendors do offer card-readers for purchasing, but we recommend you bring cash to ensure you don’t have to seek out an ATM while visiting.
Cool, Green & Shady
Located on Kingston Road, Cool, Green & Shady offers both a unique name and a unique range of products. The shop is known for its eye-catching, long-lasting floral arrangements – in fact, the team is frequently tapped to curate flowers for TV shows like Global Morning and Rich Bride – Poor Bride. The shop has also been regularly featured in wedding magazines and home decor magazines, as they offer shoppers a lovely curated collection of decor items in addition to flowers.
If you’re a newlywed-to-be, Cool, Green & Shady has everything you need from bouquets to table arrangements, corsages, and boutonnières, but they also provide stunning arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate functions, holidays, and so much more. Not to mention, their decorative doormats are arguably the best in the city.
Evergreen Brickworks Garden Market & Flower Shop
I would be impossible to round up a list of the best markets in the east-end of Toronto and not include Evergreen Garden Market at the Brick Works. The local market and heritage space is bustling with activity and visitors every weekend, as residents make their way through the market and spill onto the surrounding walking paths and greenspace. The space is also a sought-after wedding and event venue which frequently transforms from Toronto’s largest, year-long market to a beautiful event space.
Evergreen Brick Works is an especially popular spot to bring dogs and the entire family, and the market has a little something for everyone with a mindfully curated selection of food, native flowers and plants, home décor, books, contemporary gifts, children’s games and toys, and more from local vendors. In fact, the Evergreen Garden Market is known for carrying Toronto’s widest selection of Ontario native flowers, plants and trees for gardens of all sizes. There is also a restaurant and cafe on-site, lots of (paid) parking, and the surrounding trails often provide glimpses of a wide variety of wildlife and, most importantly, some incredible views of the city.
