Ottawa's Byward Market

[DTcrawler]

It's kind of sad that a dinky little plastic backyard rink has generated this much attention, whether positive or negative.

[rocketphish]

How a reimagined ByWard Market utopia could help Ottawa win
Champions of the $129 million plan believe it's vital that the city embraces the Market rebuild for both its economic engine and its eclectic charm.

Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen
Published Feb 27, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 6 minute read

The design images of a bright and shiny potential long-term future for the ByWard Market look a bit like contemporary scenes outside a bustling Paris cafe or a tree-lined public market in New York’s Central Park.

In the mock-up pictures of the city’s detailed ByWard Market Public Realm Plan Recommendations Report, the drab greyness of the current Market has been replaced by spots of tree canopies and blooming flower planters.

The narrow sidewalks and tight car-congested streets of today’s reality have given way to expansive boulevards full of strolling pedestrians and welcoming patios. There are also no homeless people lying outside storefronts begging for change and a way out of their dire circumstances.

Indeed, the colourful depiction of a ByWard Market utopia might seem like a pipe dream to those who have witnessed the area decay in the past decade or two, but the champions of the $129 million plan to renovate and refresh the 10-hectare area believe it’s vital that the city embraces the rebuild for both its economic engine and its eclectic charm.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/how-a-reimagined-byward-market-utopia-could-help-ottawa-win

[le calmar]

Cool proposal, but as the Rideau street renewal project has shown, it won't make any difference if the area is overrun by the homeless and drug addicts.

[NOWINYOW]

City bylaws, license fees for vendors etc make all of this a pipe dream. The market was a vibrant place when the city kept their noses out. Now that they're all in on regulating every aspect while dismissing crime and vagrancy, the market area is a lost cause.

The best thing the city could do is place a few foot patrol officers 24-7, lower/eliminate any and all license fees for vendors and buskers, allow restaurants more latitude with outdoor patios and work with the nearby shelters to distribute their load across the city.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by NOWINYOW

City bylaws, license fees for vendors etc make all of this a pipe dream. The market was a vibrant place when the city kept their noses out. Now that they're all in on regulating every aspect while dismissing crime and vagrancy, the market area is a lost cause.

The best thing the city could do is place a few foot patrol officers 24-7, lower/eliminate any and all license fees for vendors and buskers, allow restaurants more latitude with outdoor patios and work with the nearby shelters to distribute their load across the city.

Honest question. I keep hearing this, but exactly what kind of regulations are we talking about that weren't there before?

And has it ever been "vibrant" to begin with or it's a case of Rosy Retrospection effect and it was as vibrant as a Costco parking nowadays on any given Sunday?

[phil235]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

And has it ever been "vibrant" to begin with ?

Yes, it has been vibrant. And it's still the most vibrant part of the city.

[rocketphish]

'We've had a really good run' — ByWard Fruit Market to close this spring
'The ByWard Market is a market in history and name only. It’s not coming back to what it was.'

Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen
Published Mar 13, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 4 minute read

For a little over a quarter of a century, Isaac and Miriam Farbiasz and their ByWard Fruit Market store have stood as mainstays in the ByWard Market, enduring anchors of the bustling food retail scene that for more than a century was the district’s beating heart.

The 26 years the couple have operated their store — they bought it in 1999 — is just the tip of the iceberg at 36 ByWard Market Square. A black-and-white photo in the shop’s front window shows onetime owner M.Z. Lithwick in the doorway of the same grocery store, in 1930. How far back it was a grocer’s is unclear; It’s been Greenberg’s Fruit Store and Greenberg and Weltman. In the early 1920s, it was Fraser’s, specializing in butter, eggs and potatoes. In the 1880s, it was Dominion Flour store.

But things have changed — things are constantly changing — and soon, ByWard Fruit Market, the last brick-and-mortar greengrocer in the Market, will be gone, its doors shuttered briefly before something else takes its place. For the next five or six weeks, until Easter, the Farbiaszes will operate their business as usual, after which the “dismantling,” as Isaac describes it, will occur, a clearance sale with the last vestiges expected to disappear by the end of May.

“The ByWard Market is a market in history and name only,” says Isaac. “It’s not coming back to what it was,” an assertion that a quick walk along the historic block of ByWard Market Square between George and York streets supports. Long gone, for those who even remember, are the likes of Zunders Fruitland, Budapest Delicatessen and Slipacoff’s Premium Meats. The string of colourful outdoor farmers’ stalls has been reduced to a single one. More recently, in 2023, The House of Cheese closed, followed by Saslove’s Meat Market last fall. Many have been replaced by restaurants, bars or takeout foods.

“Food retail,” says Isaac, “is being replaced by food ingestion.”

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/byward-fruit-market-to-close

[rocketphish]

Changes sweep through the ByWard Market

CTV News
Published: March 19, 2025 at 6:40PM EDT

In the ByWard Market a wave of change is taking over, as long-standing businesses shut their doors and new opportunities step in to fill the gaps.

While it’s no secret the area has faced challenges—from crime and homelessness to parking issues—many are waiting to see what the future holds for this historic neighbourhood.

Justyna Borowska, who’s run her deli, Wedel Touch of Europe, in the market for five years has witnessed the changes firsthand.

“I took over in the middle of the pandemic—crazy time—but hey, I survived, so that’s something good,” she said.

Across the street businesses like The Cupcake Lounge and Blue Cactus have recently closed, but fresh opportunities are quickly filling their place.

Grey’s Social Eatery is set to open this week, Beyond the Pale ByWard Taproom has taken over The Courtyard, and Philthy Philly’s is moving into Saslove’s.

Dunn’s will soon become Chuck’s Roadhouse, and the old Chapters building? It’s being transformed into a live music venue by Live Nation.

“Every time I’ve been there it’s been really busy,” said Danny Kotsopoulous, CEO of Philthy Philly’s.

“We do have a unique product. It’s a Philly cheesesteak and we serve poutine. We have 18 different varieties of poutine that customers love, so I thought we would do very well there.”

While Philthy Philly’s prepares to open this summer, Beyond the Pale is also setting its sights on warmer weather, gearing up for its first patio season.

“We think the market is one of the most special places in the city,” said co-founder Rob McIsaac.

“We’ve been building up steam over the last couple of months and getting more people coming out.”

Borowska is optimistic about the influx of new businesses and hopeful for what the changes mean for the area.

“It’s very exciting for us because it will bring in new customers and showcase the ByWard Market. We need more exposure, we need the new businesses,” she said.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/changes-sweep-through-the-byward-market/

[kwoldtimer]

Newsflash. A Phllly cheesesteak is not "unique".

[rocketphish]

Fixing the ByWard Market — we'll still need places to park
We can't just pedestrianize this downtown jewel; it's too hard to get to the ByWard Market by public transit from outside the core.

Mohammed Adam, Ottawa Citizen
Published Mar 20, 2025 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 3 minute read

As Ottawa residents debate how to revive our treasured but troubled ByWard Market, the most significant development to watch is the city’s $129-million public realm plan, which aims to transform the historic district into a largely pedestrian-friendly enclave.

At the heart of this transformation is the remaking of the streets and parking lots into public spaces and plazas, creating more foot traffic and incrementally reducing cars and parking. In particular, George and York streets would be overhauled into new plazas and squares. The York redevelopment is set to begin soon, and if the artistic renderings are any guide, the new Market will be quite a sight. New plazas, squares and spaces for gatherings will certainly add a new vibe, and breath new life into the district.

But — and it is a big but — only if the addiction and homeless issues that have blighted the neighbourhood are dealt with effectively. Rejuvenation won’t work if the social problems persist.

Another point: It must be recognized as we embark on the renewal that the ByWard Market is uniquely placed in Ottawa, and not all people who go there live downtown. Many people drive to the market and care should be taken not to shut them out. The ByWard Market District Authority says the Market sees an average 50,000 visits every weekend in the peak summer months, but it is safe to say that not all of them are tourists or downtown residents who walk there. One reason for the Market’s success over the years is the car traffic that brings people from all parts of the city to shop, eat and play. Kill that traffic in the effort to pedestrianize the place, and you turn away a lot of customers.

I speak from experience. The Market has been a favourite destination of mine for some 25 years. It used to be where my family went regularly on weekends to buy vegetables, and it had a big buzz about it. When, sadly, the farmers’ market disappeared, it remained the place my friends and I went to socialize — to listen to some music, have a bite and catch up. Over time, I have sampled offerings from the likes of Oh So Good, Courtyard restaurant, 18, Je t’aime, Blue Cactus, The Fish Market and more.

My friends and I all live outside downtown, some in the south and west ends, and others in Gatineau. The Market is our playground, especially in the summer, and we all drive there about every other weekend for some recreation. The cars packed on York and surrounding streets don’t all belong to tourists. Many belong to people who come from outside the city core. Parking is difficult now, but if cars are phased out, a lot of people will stay out.

Taking the bus or rail for a night out is really not in the cards. If I am coming from Hunt Club, Findlay Creek, Barrhaven or Gatineau, transit doesn’t work; it could take two or three buses to get to the Market. Imagine going on a night out or a date, and having to take a bus that comes late, or if you miss a connection, having to wait up to half-an-hour (and potentially, do the same on the way home). It takes the joy out of it. A couple of friends tried it and it was a disaster.

All this is to say — as we all discuss how to revive the ByWard Market — that the city should be careful how it goes about creating a more pedestrian-friendly destination in a district that has thrived, in no small way, due to car traffic.

The ByWard Market needs rejuvenation not just because of its history, but because it is the best entertainment destination in town. But there is competition from Lansdowne Park, and soon, LeBreton Flats will come alive with a new arena, and possibly, some entertainment spots.

The city needs to get it right on ByWard Market, and “striking a balance on mobility” will be critical.

Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. Reach him at [email protected]

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/fixing-byward-market-parking

[McDonald's Racoon]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

[B]Fixing the ByWard Market — we'll still need places to park

What a bunch of BS, people who live in the suburbs fear the market like the plague.
Saying that "taking public transit from Findlay Creek or Barrhaven doesn't work" is false and is just a comment on how urban sprawl is the problem, not the lack of parking downtown.
There's not a city on earth where traveling 25km by public transport is quick and easy.

Why ruin a destination for the sake of car storage, if the market was truly a world class destination, people would come regardless.
And what ever happened to taking an Uber or a taxi on a night out? It's just as convenient as driving and I'm sure if you own a big suburban house you can afford the trip.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by McDonald's Racoon

What a bunch of BS, people who live in the suburbs fear the market like the plague.
Saying that "taking public transit from Findlay Creek or Barrhaven doesn't work" is false and is just a comment on how urban sprawl is the problem, not the lack of parking downtown.
There's not a city on earth where traveling 25km by public transport is quick and easy.

Why ruin a destination for the sake of car storage, if the market was truly a world class destination, people would come regardless.
And what ever happened to taking an Uber or a taxi on a night out? It's just as convenient as driving and I'm sure if you own a big suburban house you can afford the trip.

Nothing wrong in any of these statements but not super relevant. The Byward Market needs parking now and in the foreseeable future. Weekend wanderers and evening diners come by car. The businesses know this (though over-estimate it for sure). Pushing the parking to the edge and making it more pedestrian friendly don't have to be contradictory ideas.

[OTSkyline]

I think the difference is, no one is proposing we remove ALL parking from the Byward Market (and surrounding areas), the proposal is to remove a lot of the surface lots/spots (like the two on York St) and consolidate in underground/parkades in the surrounding areas.

There's the parking garage at Rideau Centre, the one on Clarence, if they had 1 or 2 other large structures like on St-Patrick or Cumberland then there should still be more than enough spots for those who prefer to drive to the Market.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Newsflash. A Phllly cheesesteak is not "unique".

Though a "Philly cheesesteak poutine" might be!

But I'm sure it already exists somewhere else...

[kwoldtimer]

The market could fix many of its problems if it were again an actual market.

[YOWflier]

Weird obsession with the cheese steak place on display.

[YOWflier]

Originally Posted by phil235

Yes, it has been vibrant. And it's still the most vibrant part of the city.

What a strange comment to have to reply to, affirming the obvious.

[Acajack]

I hear lots of comments in my entourage about the Byward Market - good and bad.

The complaints about parking have always been there - even during the area's heyday with my friends and family. (Which wasn't that long ago.)

Have the frustrations with parking intensified? Maybe a bit but not that much really.

What I do hear in terms of newer complaints: the area has gotten a lot more sketchy, and that what is on offer there doesn't feel that unique anymore. It's a lot of the same types of restaurants, bars and cafés, and shops, that you now find in other parts of the city and across the region (even in suburban areas).

None of these people are refined urbanists so obviously they don't have specifics to provide, much less suggestions for what the market is missing or has lost. But they are of course potential customers and so for them these days there is less in the market to draw them than before.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by YOWflier

Weird obsession with the cheese steak place on display.

It's the lure of Cheez Whiz.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Have the frustrations with parking intensified? Maybe a bit but not that much really.

I'm not even sure that they have intensified. Parking was clearly easier to get during the pandemic years, and the Market is only now approaching the same level of visits. So maybe it is as hard to find parking as it was in 2019.

Which is to say not that hard. I have literally never had trouble finding a spot in one of the garages in/near the Market at any time ever.

Also, someone can tell Mr. Adam that he can drive to a park and ride or just park on the street near any LRT station.