City Market Strategic Plan
Consultation has concluded
The City of Saint John is asking for your input into the future direction of the City Market.
As one of the most visited sites in New Brunswick, attracting over one million visitors annually, the City Market has been a vital element of our Uptown since 1876. The 2023-2033 Saint John City Market Strategic Plan will chart a vision forward under key direction to maintain its reputation as the premier destination and gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The initial Strategic Plan development process took place from January 2022 - March 2023, and included a series of community, vendor,Continue reading
The City of Saint John is asking for your input into the future direction of the City Market.
As one of the most visited sites in New Brunswick, attracting over one million visitors annually, the City Market has been a vital element of our Uptown since 1876. The 2023-2033 Saint John City Market Strategic Plan will chart a vision forward under key direction to maintain its reputation as the premier destination and gathering place for locals and tourists alike. The initial Strategic Plan development process took place from January 2022 - March 2023, and included a series of community, vendor, and stakeholder engagements, which resulted in a set of priority actions and detailed roadmap.
In the final phase of its new strategic plan that will support the Saint John community over the next 10 years, the City of Saint John is asking for your input.
Click the survey link below to share your thoughts on the Draft Strategic Plan by June 21, 2023.
For more information, see:
- City Market Strategic Plan Presentation to Growth Committee (June 6th) - Powerpoint & Recording
- Draft City Market Strategic Plan (June 2023)
- City Market Strategic Plan Engagement Summary and Background Report (May 2023)
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Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Vendor Mix? on Facebook Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Vendor Mix? on Twitter Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Vendor Mix? on Linkedin Email Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Vendor Mix? link
Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Vendor Mix?
almost 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Think about:
- Prepared meals or grab and go foods
- Groceries and specialty foods
- Artisans
- Pop-up vendors
- Are there types of vendors currently missing?
ravenblueabout 2 years agoPartnership with regional farmer's Markets
The City Market could partner with other regional farmer's market organizations in the off-season, or to operate on alternate days. Farmer's markets such as the Queen Square Market, or Kingston Market, Brundage Point, or St. Martin's could rent vendor space at group rates, and sell items Saturdays, select weekdays, or special seasonal events, allowing the vendors to operate year-round, or to reach more customers through the week, while providing an expanded selection to City Market customers.
0 comment3GeeChiaabout 2 years agoAdd services and activities
As a general comment - without specifics - don't make everything just about buying items. "Placemaking" research shows that successful places provide at least 10 different reasons why anyone should go there. Eat a meal, drink a coffee, people watch, listen to music, learn something, take pictures, look at art, help someone, socialize, make something, etc.
0 comment2JessFresYoalmost 2 years agoBetter hours for market basics. The market is catered to those that work uptown or don’t work at all.
I can see the city market from my front door, but yet I have to drive out of the uptown core to a large chain grocer to get my groceries because the market caters to those that go for lunch, or those that do not work a typical 9-5 schedule. Even the in-person community input for this was at a time that people working a typical 9-5 outside of the uptown could not attend. The market is not open in the evenings and many of the vendors close before 5, making it impossible to use the market through the week. The market is also closed on Sunday, making Saturday the only day I and many others can go. I would expect living beside a market that I could get fresh bread, produce, fish and meat, however this is almost impossible due to poor hours and the idea that the market is now just a lunch spot. Saint John wants a classic market that offers fresh and local staples, the continued success and amount of people that attend the Queen Square Farmers Market shows that, but it can’t just be for people that don’t work during business hours or work uptown and drop by for a quick lunch. In summary, extended hours for the market and vendors, and more staple vendors (produce, bakery, etc.)
0 comment0GeeChiaabout 2 years agoAdd piped-in or live music
There may be piped-in music now, but if so, it's so low as to not be noticed. Music always animates a space. Could have programmed days ..."Sea Shanty Day", etc. and a program posted a week in advance on social media/at the gate, etc. Live music only on the weekend as a special draw, with lots of prior airtime on social media.
0 comment0JasonKabout 2 years agoCommunity Corner
Small area dedicated to local events and areas of interest.
0 comment4 -
Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Physical Layout? on Facebook Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Physical Layout? on Twitter Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Physical Layout? on Linkedin Email Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market’s Physical Layout? linkCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.
Think about:
- moving through the market
- stall and corridors layouts
- sights, sounds, and smells
- signage
- washrooms
- atrium and seating areas
- spaces outside the City Market
- Are there types of spaces that are currently missing?
she.sells.seashellsabout 2 years agoNot gonna lie, the market does have an odd fishy smell
Can this be changed somehow?
0 comment0sjbalmost 2 years agoRight now, you can gallop from entrance to exit without stopping. Perhaps a layout that encourages a slower progress and more curiosity?
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Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market as a welcoming and inclusive public place? on Facebook Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market as a welcoming and inclusive public place? on Twitter Share Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market as a welcoming and inclusive public place? on Linkedin Email Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market as a welcoming and inclusive public place? link
Ideas Board: What are your big ideas about the City Market as a welcoming and inclusive public place?
almost 2 years agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Think about:
- How residents and visitors experience the market
- How people with disabilities get around
- How new immigrants, racialized communities, or low income residents experience and perceive the market
- Are there changes that make the market more welcoming and inclusive?
Whalerabout 2 years agoThe market needs to get back to what it was designed for. A market. Not a mall. Need more vendors, either by the day or the week or month.
Look at other markets and see what makes them successful. Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and many others do a great job. Get away from Tshirts and etc. More self made items.
0 comment0RODalmost 2 years agoSeek local Heritage Designation for exterior of the building.
Interior design and construction should be consistent with vendors that try to preserve the "feel" of the original stalls. Currently lessors seem to be able to install their space with whatever they choose with no oversight of compatibility of interior design. Includes signage, building material, heritage colour, lighting etc.etc.
0 comment0she.sells.seashellsabout 2 years agoMonthly evening event in the market
People that normally can't go to the market during the day as they work might come to a monthly evening event, especially if its hyped up with marketing & promotions, special live music/wine, arts, etc. "Locals night" or something on the first monday of the month.
0 comment0paterson+1about 2 years agoA few chairs with a small table in the entrance would improve the convenience of the place and seniors will be grateful and happy to come.
The future market should be outfitted to become more welcoming to everyone, especially seniors who can't just grab food and go quickly. I often order ice cream at the market and after the ice cream ends up in my hands I find it hard to carry it around standing up and eating it at the same time as I'm holding my cane. There were no chairs/benches to sit down inside during winter for a few minutes to finish the ice cream. I had to sit on some narrow steps and get help to get up after I finished. Even a few chairs with a small table just out in the entrance would improve the convenience and hospitality of the place and seniors will be grateful and happy to come. Comment from Dave Whalen - 87 years old
0 comment0RODalmost 2 years agoVendors should be required to not close / put away items until closing time
On numerous occasions when hoping to view fresh product vendors were storing away an hour before closing. Stopped going at 5PM as I knew vendors would be shutting down early.
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