The original market dates back to the 1790's, after which it experienced waves of immigrants from many different countries. John Pavao who, along with his family, operates the unpretentious hole-in-the-wall Luis Coffee Stop (it's been here for 42 years) confirms it's the same today: if you are an immigrant it's the first place you visit because the sights and smells feel like the warmth and comfort of home. This is a cool spot where you can seat on stool, sip a coffee and look out onto the street from a part of the building that literally has a hole cut into the outside wall. The shop also has some of the finest bulk coffees, teas and spices.

In the early 1900's, Kensington Market was the home to more than 80 per cent of Toronto's Jewish community. By the 1950's the market became more multicultural, a product of the immigrant influx after the war. Shmuel Spero who has been the rabbi for the past 18 years of The Minsker Shul (it's been here since 1930) on St. Andrew Street in the heart of Kensington Market said, The market has a new spirit to it and ever one sees a bit of there own culture here.

The only way to visit is to walk the streets .This is not a particular pretty area, but it's genuine and in that lies a certain charm. Lively, quirky and friendly people are everywhere. There are no fast food joints here and owners in the early morning still wash down the sidewalks in front of their shops. The sweet sounds of lively animated conversation reverberate along the streets. Stop into the Sea Kings Fish Market on Baldwin Street and be greeted by one of the four owners who seem to be always hustling and bustling. They'll tell you that, if we don't have it, it does not swim.

Across the street, Butcher Solly Stern of Max and Son Meat Market on Baldwin Street has been here for 51 years. He has noticed change: For me today it's not as it used to be, the city is now to big and not as many people come down here anymore

In more recent times Kensington Market has lent its name to CBC television shows like the King of Kensington, and the sitcom Twitch City.

Kensington Market is only a half hour walk away from the downtown bus terminal on Dundas Street and as you meander west you'll pass right through Toronto's China Town.

Chinatown

With an estimated population of 400,000, the Chinese are one of Toronto's largest and most visible ethnic communities. This area is home to Chinese from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and elsewhere.

The intersection of Dundas and Spadina is the most visible symbol of a dynamic community. There's a lot to take in here. In fact, on weekends-especially the sidewalks are crammed with open-air food stalls, vendors and thousands of people from all backgrounds eager to shop, eat and socialize.

The restaurants are a big attraction to visitors, as the familiar "North American Chinese" menu is all but non-existent here. Instead chefs in the area produce a variety of authentic cuisines including Szechwan, Hunan, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Their ingredients are purchased fresh from stalls lining the streets. And it's not unusual to pass dozens of shop windows lined with barbecued pork, duck and other exotic fare.

For More Information
For Toronto self-guided walking tour maps call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338. You can also visit at Tourism Toronto or call 1-800-363-1990.

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George Bailey is a professional photographer and writer. He is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and writes a regular column for Canadian CAA Magazine. He can be contacted at Wonderful.life@sympatico.ca. Photos courtesy of George Bailey.

© 2006

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