Springing out of shipping containers, Vancouver’s new Junction Public Market opens downtown
Local vendors, food trucks, a “sipping container” bar, and live entertainment are all featured at Granville Square this summer
Rolanda Nygren. Photo by Gail Johnson
VANCOUVER HAS A NEW public market downtown that sees local vendors taking over an abundance of customized shipping containers.
Junction Public Market, presented by Cadillac Fairview, is at Granville Square at 200 Granville Street on the terrace between Canada Place and Waterfront Station. Open Tuesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11 am to 7 pm, it features rotating local vendors and food trucks, live entertainment (with artists performing inside a shipping container), and a “sipping container” bar.
“We’re in this beautiful plaza,” Junction Public Market cofounder Rolanda Nygren tells Stir at the site, which overlooks Vancouver Harbour complete with cruise ships. “[Cofounder] Patrick [Carnegie] and I had this moment when we travelled last year and thought this would be perfect for Vancouver, with the stunning views. Cadillac Fairview really saw our vision. Toronto has one. We saw a lot when we travelled in the U.S. Arizona has one, and we just thought ‘This is a really cool idea.’ I’ve seen them in Europe, too.
“With the most beautiful scenery here and with the local artists, we have our sipping container, so you can come down for lunch or come down before you go home from work and have a quick drink,” Nygren says. “I’m from northern Italy and I always wanted to create a kind of piazza feel in Vancouver. Whenever I go home, I meet people and hang out and we look at the vendors and meet up quickly for lunch and an aperitivo, then go back to work—so we wanted to have that theme in Vancouver where friends and family meet and enjoy what Vancouver has to offer.”
Junction Public Market. Photo by Gail Johnson
For its inaugural season, Junction Public Market has 15 local makers and merchandise vendors plus four food trucks. There are daily, weekly, and full-season vendors selling everything from leather goods and skin-care products to crocheted artworks and pet treats to clothing and handmade jewellery. Local musicians perform on the Music Box container stage, and artists will be invited to paint the outsides of the containers live throughout the season.
“We wanted to give local vendors the opportunity to have a platform where they can set up,” Nygren says. “A lot can’t afford to have a storefront so this lets them set up and see where they want to take it.
“When we saw this plaza, we knew it was perfect because it was such an underused gem,” she adds. “We want to make sure it becomes the talk of the town.”
The Music Box at Junction Public Market. Photo by Gail Johnson
Junction Public Market merchandise vendors include Verity Pearl, Puccissimé Pet Couture, Soumak Boutique, Seaside Souvenirs, EGG Atelier, Lumbo & Elfin Atelier, iThinkSew, PacifiCraft Candles, Kedi Silver, Living Lotus Chocolate, Bennu Leather, Honeybird & Co., Neo Naturelle, and All the Good Things From BC. Participating food vendors include Yo-Bones BBQ, Focacciaza, Meiggo Eggo, Bao Buns, Tornado Potato, Mr. Pretzels, Tochi, Spanish Cravings, Barista Brothers, and the Seaside Ice Box.
The Sipping Container features local craft brews from Central City Brewers & Distillers, wine by Stag’s Hollow Winery and JoieFarm Winery, Wards Hard Cider, and pre-mixed drinks.
Junction Public Market. Photo by Gail Johnson
Junction Public Market is partnering with United We Can, a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that creates economic opportunities for people living in the Downtown Eastside through environmental initiatives. It was formed by and for people who rely on collecting refundable drink containers as their source of income.
The market runs until September 29. 
Bennu Leather, Junction Public Market. Photo by Gail Johnson
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