To spot the Saint John City Market, just look ahead for a large brick building with big, rounded windows and a sign that says "City Market" over the door at street level.
Now, imagine standing here more than a century ago-horses clopping along Charlotte Street, fishmongers calling out their prices, and the smell of fresh bread wafting from inside. You’re looking at the oldest continuously operated farmer’s market in all of Canada! This market’s roots go back to 1785, and the building in front of you has seen enough history to fill a dozen storybooks. The current market was designed in grand Second Empire style-fancy mansard roofs and all-back in 1876, after two earlier wooden markets bit the dust in fires. Speaking of close calls, this market survived the Great Fire of 1877 by the skin of its teeth, while 40% of Saint John was reduced to ashes.
Peek inside and you’ll spot something wild-the roof looks just like an upside-down ship’s keel, built by unemployed ship carpenters who traded sails for saws. It makes you feel like you’re in a sea captain’s dream. The floor even slopes, following the natural land, so don’t blame your shoes if you lean a little! Over the years, some businesses here have been selling their goods for more than 100 years-that’s a lot of sandwiches and smiles passed from one generation to the next. And in 1986, this bustling hub was officially named a National Historic Site, so every noisy vendor and echoing footstep is part of living Canadian history.
