Sundays are coming up markets – almost overnight, three markets have joined the fray, giving shoppers even more alternatives to the Saturday mainstays of Old Strathcona, City Market and St. Albert.
- Callingwood, 10am-3pm at 69 Avenue & 178 Street
- South Edmonton Common, 10am-4pm at 151 Karl Clark Road
- Eden’s Market on 124 Street, 10am-3pm at 10534 – 124 Street
- French Quarter, 12-5pm, 8627 rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury (91 Street)
- Edmonton Petroleum Club Outdoor Market, 10am-2pm, 1110 108 Street
I haven’t had a chance to visit the latter two yet, but Mack and I stopped by Eden’s Market on 124 Street on Father’s Day. Located in a small parking lot, the market looks to build on the momentum of the Thursday 124 Street Grand Market, which has managed to attract its fair share of regular patrons with its eclectic mix of food trucks and homegrown and handmade goods.
Though we had noticed premature signs last September announcing a forthcoming market on that corner, Eden’s Market has been attributed to organizer Patricia Cheung’s desire to help the Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) make up its funding shortfall by donating all vendor fees to the non-profit. It’s interesting to note that the South Edmonton Common market also trumpets its support for charities (unfortunately, without too many concrete details about the type or amount of support).
On that rainy Sunday, crowds were scarce. This could have easily been attributed to the weather, but more likely to the Dad’s Day conflict. There were less than a dozen vendors participating (not surprising given the growing competition), including three food trucks.
We picked up some peppered jerky from Andy’s Finest Jerky, and scored some waffles from Eva Sweet. Though it’s not quite big enough to linger for long, it sounds like Eden’s Market will continue to grow as it finds its footing.
They will be celebrating their grand opening on June 23, 2013, with five new vendors, five food trucks, and a lion dance. Here’s hoping for good weather on Sunday and for the rest of the season!
Eden’s Market runs 10am-3pm at 10534 – 124 Street until October 6, 2013.
Only Here for the Food 
There was also small market set up at Century Park last Sunday on the corner of 111 Street and 23rd Avenue in the parking lot next to Spring Roll Kitchen.