Saint John City Market preparing for 150th year

Another year is coming to a close for the Saint John City Market - Canada’s oldest continuously operating farmer’s market.

Linda Cooke has become a staple inside the historic structure as a vendor for the past 34 years.

“I can’t stop smiling,” she says when reflecting on her time as a market vendor. “It’s a true privilege to be here.” Cooke recalls 2025 as a strong season for the market. She says the year felt “rather full, rather busy” with tourists arriving earlier than your typical year.

“My business is thriving,” says artist Tracey Brown, who has been a market vendor for the past three years. “I’m up from last year and I can’t wait to keep going and see what comes next year.”

Work is well underway to reimagine the long-standing space under a 10-year strategic plan undertaken by the city. Some vendors will change locations inside the market make more space.

Businesses like the Wild Carrot have already moved to new locations, while others, like Kim’s Korean Food, are still being renovated. A new restaurant called Market Street Kitchen is expected to open in the new year in the former location of Billy’s Seafood.

The construction is necessary to make room for a new seating area that will be located in the middle of the market. That work is expected to begin in early 2026.

Market Manager Andrew MacDonald says seating options in the market are limited and the new space will make the venue feel more connected. He says it will be more then just a lunch hangout.

“It’s also going to be a performance space or a space where we can have a cooking class, or we can have a party there or whatever,” says MacDonald. “Yes, there’s going to be a lot of construction, but all these things are just so great for the market and for the community.”

Construction of the seating means removing the centre aisle that runs through the market. MacDonald says work to relocate the vendors that occupy the aisle is ongoing. He says the market has been communicating with those vendors, who are providing input on the plans.

“The market is the vendors,” MacDonald says. “So, we need to make sure that they know what’s going on and they’re part of the conversation. I’ll be frank, there are some situations where some vendors might not fully understand or fully agree with it, but the whole point of this exercise is making this market better.”

Brown has had a look at some of the early plans and given input herself.

“I think that there is still a very promising future here at the Saint John’s City Market, and I can’t wait,” she says.

A more detailed construction plan will be presented at city council in the weeks ahead.

In addition to the big physical changes, 2026 will also mark the spaces 150^th birthday. MacDonald says the plan is to have celebrations throughout the year with the bigger events planned for the second half of 2026 when construction nears completion. He says one event will transform the market into a fancier setting

“We’re talking about all kinds of collaborations with community,” he says. “Working with artists, working with vendors and lots of great parties planned.”

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