Kensignton Market

Kensington Market: Home to the World
By Trisha A. Cook

As you are walking west down Dundas Street, just as you have passed the hustle and bustle of Spadina, you reach a quiet neighbourhood full of history- and great shopping! Kensington Market is a true multicultural shopping district of Toronto. Entering onto Kensington Avenue off of Dundas, during a nice summers day you will see tie-dyed blankets blowing in the wind, coffee drinkers sitting in the sun on the patios of the quaint restaurants, you will smell great foods mixed with the aroma of second hand clothing and you will be surrounded by the independent vintage shops and fresh food markets. The previously loved clothing seems so diverse with articles that would be great for anyone and there is such a wide array of foods to choose from- all of which is fresh as can be. You can even witness such oddities as chickens squaking from the trucks to theirs stalls and frantic chefs running from their restaurants to pick up fresh food to cook for a patron.
“You can get cool clothes in a chilled atmosphere, have a cup of coffee, get great quality food for an awesome price, all on the same street”, states Jason Nadler, a Toronto resident who moved from London England five years ago. “ My mother used to take me to the Pick-a-dilly circus on Carnaby Street in London, England. That’s what makes me want to go to Kensignton Market- its Toronto’s answer to Carnaby Street. Its focused on something more personal rather than the traditional corporate main stream stores”.
This colourful lively area is not only great it also explores a wide spectrum of cultures. You will hear Portuguese, Italian, Asian and Caribbean accents from many of the merchants as you search through fruits, veggies, baked goods and spices from all over the world. Kensington Market is the original ethnic market place in Toronto as it began in the early 1900’s with the arrival of English and Irish settlers. By the 11930’s Jews from central and Southern Europe were firmly established in the community. In the 1940’s Italians and Ukrainians settled and shortly after, postwar waves of people from Portugal, Hungary, Hong Kong and the Caribbean made their home in the market.
Over 169 languages are spoken in this small community; it is considered a “home to the world” (as advertised by the big globe on the corner of Kensington Avenue). It is a place where racial and ethnic harmony has thrived for generations. The spirit and inclusion is what has made Kensington matter and the fantastic shopping in such a sheltered area of Toronto is what has made is a favourable dwelling spot on a sizzling summers day.