Temporary outdoor setup brings dozens of vendors back to Kitchener Market
As restoration continues at the Kitchener Market following an electrical fire in July, the City of Kitchener has created a temporary outdoor footprint that has allowed more vendors who worked inside the market to return to selling on Saturdays.
The indoor market has been closed since July 12, when an electrical fire broke out at a vendor stall. Since then the City has operated an outdoor market on Saturdays, and recently expanded that area into the breezeway and a parking lot behind the building to accommodate additional sellers.
Before the expansion, the outdoor market was operating with about 30 vendors. With the temporary setup added, the city reported there are now 46 vendors back at the market.
| Market area | Vendors (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Outdoor market (prior to expansion) | 30 |
| Outdoor market (with temporary expansion) | 46 |
What returned vendors say
Among the sellers who returned on Saturday were Lainie Fefferman and Jascha Narveson of Bubinsky’s Bakery. They had been building momentum before the fire but said sales dropped after the indoor market closed.
"The temporary outdoor space is a 'really good alternative'," Fefferman said. "No one knew about us because we were new. So we made very few sales since the fire."
The temporary footprint includes upgraded services to support vendors who sell perishables. The city added more electrical and water services so vendors selling meat and dairy could operate safely in the outdoor environment.
Operational changes and community impact
The move to the expanded outdoor area reflects an effort to balance safety, vendor livelihoods and continued service to regular market shoppers while repairs proceed inside. The expanded location occupies the breezeway and parking area behind the market building, providing a provisional home for sellers displaced by the closure.
- Closure date: Indoor market closed since July 12 after an electrical fire.
- Outdoor market: Open every Saturday, recently expanded to include more vendors.
- Vendor return: Increase from about 30 to 46 vendors with temporary setup and added utilities.
City officials have framed the expanded outdoor footprint as a temporary measure while restoration work progresses. For many small vendors, having even a provisional presence at the market is a key part of maintaining customer relationships and cash flow.
What to expect as restoration continues
Organizers have not announced a timetable for the indoor market’s reopening in the material provided. For now, the Saturday outdoor market offers residents continued access to a range of local food and goods while the city completes repairs and recovery work.
Regular market shoppers and those following the market's recovery should check the City of Kitchener's updates for the latest information about vendor lists, hours and any further changes to the market footprint.
The temporary outdoor setup demonstrates how the local market and its vendors are adapting in the weeks after the incident, balancing public-safety concerns with the economic realities facing small, independent sellers in Kitchener’s downtown marketplace.
