Between Dundas and College, west of Spadina Ave. TTC: Queen's Park Station, then streetcar westbound
During the 1920s, it was known as the Jewish Market. Today, you can sense the city's rich, multicultural mix, obvious in the shops packed with goods from Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia. A visit to Kensington is like a sensory trip around the world. It's also a treasure trove of vintage and second hand clothing shops, tucked in among eclectic restaurants and cafés.
The Details
Possibly the best introduction to the myriad cultural groups which make Toronto their home is a stroll through the bustling lanes in the Kensington Market. It’s a bit of a scene on a busy day, with fishmongers, street musicians, impromptu speechmakers and shoppers all crowding the streets.
In the 1920’s, about 80% of Toronto’s Jewish population lived in Kensington Market. Many of the residents had bolted down pushcarts in front of their homes, from which they sold a variety of goods. The economy was booming, and their business began to spill out onto the lawns, onto their porches, and even into the main floor of many of the houses. The “Jewish Market” was born.
As the community became more established, the original Jewish population began moving to wealthier suburban areas, and were replaced by new immigrants – Portuguese, West Indians, Koreans, Chinese. That’s why today, the market is comprised of an eclectic mix of cultures – one which is ever evolving.
The Kensington area is a maze of narrow streets and alleys, some of which are lined with Victorian houses. Many of these have been painted in bright colours. On busy days, the market is every bit as chaotic as street markets around the world: with a cacophony of sounds, fruit and vegetables stands piled high with produce, and a diverse, sometimes counter-cultural customer base. People are attracted not only to the good prices but also to the market’s unusual variety of shops, including some of Toronto’s best vintage clothing stores.
Of Interest
• Some fascinating shops to visit: the House of Spice (who knew there were so many spices?); and Courage My Love (funky vintage clothing in Kensington Market) and The Rage, featuring one-of-a-kind handmade clothing and accessories.
• Every December 21, Kensington celebrates the solstice in a colourful pageant called the Kensington Karnival. The neighbourhood stages a traditional candlelit mummer’s parade, with gigantic 8-10 ft. high costumes and wonderfully atmospheric music. It takes place in late afternoon, after the sun goes down, as the market is crowded with holiday shoppers.