Massive New Windsor City Market Set To Open Soon

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The City Market seen in the warm Saturday sun. (Photo by Owen Wolter)

“When you as a customer come in here, you’re really going to have that ‘wow’ reaction and think ‘where do I start?’”

Gerry Chittle and his crew are in the final stages of construction before they unveil a massive new market called The City Market at 1030 Walker Road.

With 56,000 square feet of almost completely leased-out space, Chittle, market manager, said the variety people will experience at the centre will be very unique to Windsor.

“The markets in Toronto are wonderful,” said Chittle. “The eastern market across the river has its great ordeals over there…but this is going to be unique here, it’s going to be similar, but a unique Windsor city market which is what we all would love to see. When you walk in here, everybody’s going to greet you. It’s fantastic and I’m looking forward to it.”

When it opens later this month, the market will aim to attract as many people as possible. Chittle says the hours will be Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturdays from 8am to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Families can enjoy hot dogs and inexpensive treats while they shop, and the elderly can enjoy the convenience of a one-stop-shop, all on one floor and completely accessible.

“We have your meat vendors, your produce vendors, you have your cheese vendors,” he said. “You have people that sell fabrics, people that sell organic foods, health books, two different bakeries, accessory and gifts, jewelry, we have a woman coming in with pies, home décor people, any type of gift we have every booth for it which is wonderful. We’re all excited, all of us are to get this open and the vendors are even more excited than we are.”

During the construction phase, Chittle said he’s averaged out around 60 hours per week at the centre to ensure everything is running smoothly. There are numerous different contractors and permits for each area of the market and with such a diverse collection of vendors coming in, Chittle is hoping Windsorites are getting just as excited as he is. He said some vendors have signed one, two, three-year leases, while some are just signing month-to-month agreements. However one thing is for sure, there will be absolutely no shortage of variety at The City Market.

“At the end the reward will be there and it will be fantastic,” said Chittle. “I’m just so happy and looking forward to this. Windsor needs a wonderful, wonderful market like this.”

The market plans to soon set an opening date in late May.

The Windsor City Market is in the final stages of construction. (Photo by Jolene Perron)

Large bay doors have been installed across the entire front of the building, which market manager Gerry Chittle hopes will create an open concept feel during the spring and summer months. (All other photos by Jolene Perron)

Shelving is going up in a corner of The City Market where a party store will sell all kinds of party decor.

In the far back corner of The City Market, a fresh produce vendor has taken up a large section of space, planning to sell a variety of fruits and vegetables.