Montreal, May 5, 2021 – This Friday, May 7, marks the official opening of the summer season for Montreal’s network of public markets. In the coming weeks, Montrealers will find their favourite seasonal vendors opening at the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve markets, as well as the city’s neighbourhood markets.

“The opening of the summer season is an exciting time for both vendors and customers. There’s no better place than Montreal’s Public Markets for buying local, finding the freshest new arrivals and getting advice from our passionate merchants,” said Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet, executive director of the Corporation de gestion des marchés publics de Montréal.

To ensure the safety of vendors and the public, several public health measures related to COVID-19 are in effect: mandatory masks in all markets, Plexiglass barriers at counters, agents to remind people of health measures and physical distancing requirements, handwashing stations, preference given to contactless payment, and more.

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCERS ARRIVE AT THE LARGE MARKETS

In addition to year-round vendors, the opening of the summer season comes with the arrival of numerous horticulturists at the city’s large public markets. Several are already open at the Atwater and Jean-Talon markets, offering flowers, garden seedlings and potted herbs, while others are putting the finishing touches on their stalls in preparation for Mother’s Day weekend, May 7, 8 and 9. Meanwhile at Maisonneuve Market, shoppers will already find everything they need for this year’s gardening. “We expect to see strong demand for horticultural products at our public markets this year. To meet the increased demand, some of our vendors have expanded their stalls, resulting in a 12% increase in the occupancy rate of the two largest markets during flower season,” Mr. Fabien-Ouellet noted.

To avoid crowds, shoppers are advised to arrive early in the day or at the beginning of the week.

Jean-Talon Market
Arrival of horticulturists: Some are now open, all as of May 8.
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Access: Car: 320 parking spaces available | Bicycle: 150 lockable spaces and 2 BIXI stations | Bus: 51, 55, 92 and 93 | Metro: Jean-Talon or De Castelnau station.

Atwater Market
Arrival of horticulturists: Some are now open, all as of May 8.
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Access: Car: 90 minutes of free parking available | Bicycle: 200 lockable spaces and 2 BIXI stations | Bus: 35, 36 and 108 | Metro: Lionel-Groulx station.

Maisonneuve Market
Arrival of horticulturists: Now open.
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Access: Car: free parking available | Bicycle: one BIXI station | Bus: 125 or 139 | Metro: Pie-IX or Viau station.

SEVEN NEIGHBOURHOOD AND SOLIDARITY MARKETS NOW OPEN

The first weekend of May marks the opening of several Neighbourhood and Solidarity Markets. The merchants are always happy to reconnect with their community for the summer. They will serve local communities by setting up their stalls outside metro stations and in parks, with fresh produce, flowers and ready-to-eat foods. Gardeners will find flowers and seedlings at the following neighbourhood markets: Jean-Brillant, Mont-Royal, Papineau, Place Jacques-Cartier (from May 15) and Square Victoria.

Now open
Marché de Quartier Carré Saint-Louis (Sherbrooke station)
Marché de Quartier Jean-Brillant (Côte-des-Neiges station)
Marché de Quartier Mont-Royal (Mont-Royal station)
Marché de Quartier Papineau (Papineau station)
Marché de Quartier Place Jacques-Cartier (Champ-de-Mars station)
Marché de Quartier Square Victoria (Square Victoria station)
Marché Solidaire Frontenac (Frontenac station)

Opening late May
Marché Solidaire Sauvé (Sauvé station)
Marché Solidaire Cadillac (Cadillac station)

A map of Montreal’s Public Markets can be found here.

The Corporation de gestion des marchés publics de Montréal is a social-oriented economy enterprise responsible for the planning, development and operation of Montreal’s Public Markets. Since 1993, it has been mandated by the City of Montréal to manage the Atwater, Jean-Talon and Maisonneuve markets, six Neighbourhood Markets and three Solidarity Markets. The CGMPM’s mission is to improve access to fresh produce, meat, fish, cheeses, a variety of products and restaurants through a network of public markets that brings Montrealers closer to local farmers and agri-food businesses. It is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors composed of five merchants and five residents of the Montreal urban agglomeration. Its membership includes nearly 200 merchants. The Corporation’s network of public markets is frequented by more than three-quarters of Montrealers, with over 3 million visits annually.