Local's guide to St. Jacobs Market District

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

Take a stroll around the marketplace and you’ll find everything from accessories to wine and cider products. St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is open Thursdays and Saturdays year-round for your shopping needs. During the summer season you can sneak in some extra shopping when the market opens on Tuesdays.
 

Farmers’ Market

This spacious two floor indoor market is the main farmers’ market building. The sweet aroma of freshly made baked goods is a delight to the senses and a warm welcome when you enter the building. It’s also deliciously difficult to choose only one treat that settles your fancy.

Shop for tasty baked goods, jams and preservatives from the Mennonite vendors and take note of the thorough eye for detail and the quality of the unique crafts and vibrantly constructed quilts.

Among other vendors at the market, don’t miss the handmade African artwork like baskets and masks at African Serengeti Arts & Crafts, Bygone Reflections’ collection of vintage and rustic décor is the perfect place to visit for home decorating essentials.

Health enthusiasts will want to pick up some flavourful bottles of kombucha from Cathy’s Kombucha. You can also bring home something special from Caudle’s Catch Seafood, the longtime Kitchener seafood company. Enjoy Mediterranean fare at Doner House, where you can order a meal with keto, vegan and gluten-free options.

There are a variety of specialty shops in the indoor market, like Halenda’s Meats for the perfect cut of bacon, Kitchen Help for that one utensil you didn’t know you needed and Flavourful Fondant for gourmet cupcakes and other delectable sweets.

Don’t forget to visit the upper level of the Farmer’s Market, for even more retail booths.

Outdoor Market

At the St. Jacob’s Outdoor Market, you’ll find everything from fresh produce directly from local farms unique crafts from artisans, prepared foods from food vendors. This seasonal section of the market is home to various mainstays, so you can be sure your favourite vendor will be there.

The outdoor market is buzzing with great spots where you can support local farmers. Purchase responsibly grown veggies at 100 Mile Produce, a farm from Huron County selling seasonal vegetables. Over at Shrooms, find the freshest mushrooms of rare varieties.

If you’ve worked up an appetite walking around, head over towards the food trucks like Almadina’s Just’n Pita and choose from a pita stuffed with perfectly cooked lamb, chicken or lamb and wash it down with a refreshing cup of lemonade. Conestoga Fries is another spot for something quick to eat with everything from sweet potato fries to traditional poutine. Freshly Squeezed is your go-to for lighter fare, serving fresh fruit juices and smoothies made with low fat yogurt.

In addition to places to shop for clothing, crafts and accessories, there are also plenty of plants, flowers and other garden goods. Purchase perennials for the summer and autumn months from G&R Nursery.

There’s also a petting farm on the property that the kids will want to visit to see the adorable and cuddly farm animals. Younger kids will enjoy taking a pony ride.

St. Jacobs Horse-Drawn Trolley Tours provide tours around the picturesque Waterloo Region. It’s a great way to learn about Mennonite farms and their way of life. There are also seasonal tours. Be sure to consult with the tour operators in advance of your visit so you are aware of the type of tours that are available and to avoid disappointment. If you like train rides, the Waterloo Central Railway has a train stop beside St. Jacobs Market. You can also tour the region on a vintage train.

Market Tent

The Market Tent is an extension of the indoor and outdoor markets, with exciting vendors to check out. This cozy indoor-outdoor space is open year-round, so it’s perfect for those warm days before the Outdoor Market opens for the season.

At Bake My Day, you’ll find a fine collection of handmade baked goods, from butter tarts to pies and so much more. For lovers of British cuisine, British Pride Bakery serves traditional takes on your typical British baked goods, including meat pies, sausage rolls and scotch eggs.

The Market Tent has plenty of specialty vendors, like Chocosol Traders, which sells artisanal dark chocolates made from excellent ethically sourced cocoa and Driftwood Studio, the go-to for Canadian artwork and handmade wares.

Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village is a smaller separate building close to the main indoor marketplace and where you can find unique and antique products. Don’t miss 3D Vintage with their vintage board games and collectibles for all the comic book lovers out there. At Amigos Distributing, you can find the perfect set of cowboy boots to sport with your new clothes from Anne’s Fashion Footwear. There are even natural skincare shops like Botanical Propaganda and wacky places like Christmas Spirit to get a hint of the holiday spirit any time of year.

St. Jacobs’ Market Road Antiques

Antique enthusiasts, pop culture junkies and those in between should not miss visiting St. Jacobs’ Market Road Antiques. Located minutes south west of St. Jacobs Farmers’ Mark, the 1858 square metre space is filled with a wide range of quality vintage and antique gems from Canada and around the world. There are various types of collectibles, books, china and clothes. Open seven days a week all year, the market receives new deliveries on a regular basis. Perusing the aisles feels like walking down memory lane when you see games, toys and other childhood nostalgia. There’s a lot of products that will appeal to those with a penchant for antique furniture or jewellery. If you’re a film buff, music maven or comic book aficionado looking to expand your collection of treasured memorabilia, it’s well worth making the trip out to St. Jacobs’ Market Road Antiques often.

St. Jacobs’s Outlet Mall

Good deals are abound at St. Jacob’s Outlet Mall. Located on Benjamin Road just south of St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, widely recognized brand names are available at a discount price at this two-level outlet mall. From housewares to toys to quality leather goods, there’s something good worth purchasing. Open every day all year, it’s the place to stock up on great products too, like festive decorations. The Outlet’s holiday art market is a can’t miss event where you can find the specials gifts that show you care.

Whether you’re looking for fresh food, vintage treasures or simply a relaxing afternoon, you’ll find something special at this celebrated farmers’ market and shopping district.