Old stuff. Weird stuff. Artisan stuff. The Markets of Ottawa
/Markets are not just a place to spend money but to explore history and creation. Depending on which market you’re at, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to creators and/or curators of various collections from “something from your grandma’s attic” to “freshly baked goodies,” and so many things in between. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors questions about their interesting finds and creative creations; they are bursting at the seams waiting to tell you more!
Photo: J. Black
613flea
Lansdowne. Saturday afternoon. Sun brightly shining. Swaths of people crowd into the Aberdeen Pavilion to search through boxes of comics and records and old photographs. Surrounding the edges of the pavilion are vendors with nostalgia and vintage finds; while nearing the center, local artisans show off their handmade creations.
You’ll find treasures like vintage tea sets, and booths filled with old telephones and cameras. There are shelves filled with frog figurines and boxes of old advertisements. For those looking for something a little less old, vendors selling homemade bath bombs, hand drawn stickers and crocheted stuffies are peddling their wares too!
I love chatting with vendors about pieces in their booths. My favourite finds have been a very warm sweater, a weird little “tree wizard man” and, the one closest to my heart, a wood carving. This past 613flea, I found the fourth in my collection of Caron figures.
A dear family member started my collection; he was insistent that I take his and put great emphasis on them being made by an artist from Quebec, but he just couldn’t remember the name. A few weeks ago, I found one at the flea market! The vendor was able to tell me a little more about the figure and the artist, and now I'm set to search for more to add to my collection.
Photo: J. Black
Photo: J. Black
Farmers’ Market
Westboro. Saturday morning. Breeze gently blowing. Crowds of people pacing up and down the strip of food-filled booths. If you’re ever looking for inspiration for dinner (or lunch, or breakfast) a farmers’ market is a great spot for it (and they have five locations!) You can find the usual seasonal produce, some unusual produce (they had paw paws the last time I was there,) artisan goods (like jams, cheeses and ciders) and even meat and eggs! Get ready to run the gamut and taste test everything you see. While tasting, be sure to ask the vendors a little more about their wares! They'll be able to give you cooking tips and pairing ideas if you choose to take something home.
I always make sure to stop by Farmgate to see if they have any new cider varieties in. They had mulled cider hot in a thermos to make sure we got the full tasting experience! My partner is always on the lookout for the hot sauce vendors. Fruit forward but super spicy is our go-to. If you’re a hot sauce lover, what’s yours!?
You’ll be happy to hear that many of the ready-to-eat vendors had gluten-free options (or were strictly gluten-free.) We tried Arepas Place; they served gluten-free (corn based) Argentinian, for lack of a better word, sandwiches with a few different filling options. We both got the Caprese, and they were spectacular.
Photo: J. Black
Hand Painted fabric items from Arty Chick! photo: j. black
Craft Markets
You can find a variety of craft markets across the city year-round, but I want to draw attention to them now, because they are a fantastic place to start your Christmas shopping. I know it’s only November (as a November baby, I usually hate talking about Christmas this early) but the markets wait for no one! Both 613Flea and Ottawa’s Farmers’ Market have Holiday versions, but you can find so many others held in schools, community centres and churches across Ottawa. These markets provide all the aforementioned splendour, with a gentle sprinkling of holiday cheer!
Checking out The National Capital Artisan’s schedule is a good place to start, but keep your eyes peeled on social media (we’ll be re-posting any we see on our Twitter/X!) and your street corner for advertising of lesser-known, more local craft markets! Take a gander in the windows of your favourite small businesses and on bulletin boards at your local coffee shop; the markets are there and waiting.
Jerrica Black (She/They) is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College. She has lived in Ottawa for over a decade (and grew up in the Valley where driving into the city was an activity.) Working in the restaurant industry strengthened her love of food and her recommendations will always include the gluten-free girlie stamp of approval. Jerrica enjoys exploring the outdoors when it’s warm (but not too warm,) and prefers gaming when it gets too cold. Throughout Ottawa you will find her playing a board game with friends and a refreshing bevvy, cozying up with a book and hot coffee in a cafe, or blazing a trail while chugging a gatorade.
