Arts Market opens second east end location in Riverside

Photo: Dean Seguin

Arts Market, the popular Leslieville space for artistic entrepreneurs, has opened a new location in Riverside.

The market, which has a third location at College and Ossington, had enough demand from vendors and buyers to support a second space in Toronto's east end and, according to Arts Market owner Daniel Cohen, the timing was right to open in Riverside.

Arts Market is a year-round artisan market for hand-made goods, connecting over 150 artists, makers, designers and crafters with the local community by providing communal storefronts. Products at Arts Market range from jewelry and photography to paintings, ceramics and fashion.

The Riverside Arts Market will host 52 vendors, says Cohen, with some having booths in multiple locations. He says people who are familiar with the Arts Market's other locations can expect the same from the new Riverside location.

"A positive, upbeat environment with a great selection of handmade, local products with some vintage pieces thrown in," Cohen says.

Booth spaces at the Arts Market are rented out for four weeks at a time, though most vendors will stick around with the market a lot longer to feel out demographics and how their product is received in the neighbourhood.

"The differences between our three locations are pretty slim," he says. "They're all based off of the same model and they all have similar design in terms of branding, vibe and layout. This is something I've diligently and consciously tried to maintain. I think it's important cohesive feel and an easily distinguishable brand."

The Arts Market in Riverside is now open at 790 Queen St. E. Visit artsmarket.ca for more info.