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Downsview Park Merchants Market, Farmers Market and International Food Court

jaycola

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Today I ventured out to what is rapidly becoming one of my favourite weekend afternoon excursions.

Located within a massive storage building on the Downsview park site is an international flea market that is suitably as diverse as our great city.

Long corridors of tiny independently owned stalls fill maybe one third of the huge structure. There are literally hundreds of little stalls selling everything from electronics to bulk socks and undies to artwork painted on site. Most of the merchandise is brand new but there are typical flea market nick nacks, used tools and tonnes of ethnic music. You can find lots of apparently knock off merchandise as well (I saw Dolce and Gabanna shirts for $20).

The thing here that really attracts me however is the international food court. Little stalls representing the widest variety of cultures you could imagine featuring home style, home cooked, traditional favourites from around the world. Today I took a sampling from three vendors representing the best of Latin American cuisine.
I started with a Tamale from Mexican Americans from Texas ($2). Sweet and fluffy topped with Mexican Crema and a tangy hot sauce, I convinced my wife to grab one herself.
I then had a Ecuadorian Beef Empanada with a homemade Sofrito like spicy sauce($2). Crispy yet moist and really hot, it was great.
I finished off with a Papusa made fresh to order by some sweet El Salvadorian ladies($2.50). Essentially a stuffed corn pancake with cheese and beef, topped with fresh made coleslaw and home made hot sauce. I walked around finishing it off on a paper plate with a plastic fork.
I could have spent another hour sampling from the variety of foods available, all very traditional and very cheap. Among the other stalls I noted were Jamaican, Filipino, Afghani, Lebanese, Cuban Dominican, Chinese, Vietnamese and for the less adventurous, there is a pizza stall too.
I often drop in at the farmers market too. While some of the produce looks second rate, you can find some really good fresh fruit and veggies that are at the peak of ripeness. There is a great place for salami and smoked meats. An Afghani stall sells some terrific soft flat bread with black sesame seeds. A wise shopper will get some good finds there.
I took a quick trip around the industrial areas and there is a lot of opportunity for the armature Photographer to get some interesting shots.

I have included a some pictures I took around he park and inside the Market. I would have taken more but I was stopped by a couple of burly Security Guards and told I was not allowed to take pictures within the market. Take the time to visit. You won't be sorry.

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Signs of an actual park arising
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You can see Mississauga City Centre in the distance
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I wanna check this out. How close is this to the subway? Is it within walking distance of Downsview Station? I hate taking buses and avoid them whenever possible.
 
I had a nice experience at the market a year ago. I'll go again soon. There is an antiques area near the food court too. The farmers market had good produce and fair prices.
 
I'm planning on exploring Downsview for its Cold War landscape, and this market makes it all the more appealing. It's amazing how diverse and vibrant the suburbs are becoming. Now it's the suburbs where markets are vibrant with small merchants and immigrants.
 
I'm planning on exploring Downsview for its Cold War landscape, and this market makes it all the more appealing. It's amazing how diverse and vibrant the suburbs are becoming. Now it's the suburbs where markets are vibrant with small merchants and immigrants.

Just want to point out this has existed for years ...
 
Just want to point out this has existed for years ...

Taking it a step further, you can find similar places in Markham, parts of Mississauga ... and they've also always existed for years!

Our suburbs have always been heavily immigrant centric, in the sense you'll find concentrations of different nationalities in certain areas. A lot of the time it leads to this sort of thing. Small vendors.
 

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