By Olivia Papendick
If you have ever had your favorite cafe change their hours, or you were looking for a new type of cheese for your snack plate, or maybe you decided you want to find some local honey, there may be a solution of one place to check all three off your list! North Tonawanda City Market, sometimes referred to simply as “the market” by frequent, very local attendees, has a lot more than just fresh produce waiting for those looking to check it out.
The City Market was established in 1908, which is 117 years ago this year, in case you were wondering, and has been well known in the community in recent years for attracting large numbers on Saturday mornings specifically. Sitting on the corner of a residential neighborhood, the lot can look less than stunning during the colder months and when the market is closed, but each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you can expect to find vendors setting themselves up with tents and out of the backs of trucks. There is a large, covered area where vendors set up their businesses and if it happens to start raining while you’re at the market, there’s always either a vendor willing to let you hide under their tent until it stops or you can brave the unfortunate weather. The covered shelter is, obviously, also a better option, but sometimes there is already a large number of people there and not all of us find it very pleasant to huddle in a crowd of strangers on our morning off. It is always a good idea to check the weather before you decide to head to the market, just in case the weather chooses to be rude that day.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are the only weekdays the market is open and there will be vendors there to buy from or even just to browse through to see what is in season as far as fruits and vegetables. These days also tend to be the least busy and are maybe a little less populated as far as vendors to buy from as well. There are almost always two or three produce vendors there during the week and they never fail to have something good for eating and usually good for cooking and/or baking! Apples are frequently seen during times of year when they aren’t typically considered to be in season, or when they are ready to harvest under usual seasonal, outdoor conditions. You can also find eggs from local chicken coops on some weekdays.
Saturdays are the only day of the weekend that the market is open and vendors come in much higher numbers and with much more goodies available. You can find bakers, often with in-person shops in the area that you could come to if you decide you just can’t wait until the weekend to grab yourself your favorite treat. You can also find vendors selling things such as dumplings, bubble tea, and cured meats and sausages for grilling at home. Saturdays are the busiest day of the week for the market and if you are looking to find something very specific, especially a baked good or anything that might be in a small, limited quantity, you should come earlier in the morning to have the best chances of scooping one up for yourself.
Some perks of this market and things to know ahead of time are that it is only a few blocks from the local police station and security is often present on busy days, though usually, they are only there to keep an eye on things and are not very likely to be more than polite and smile as you pass them while walking around. There is parking on the lot, though it is limited and tends to be crowded during the peak of the season, particularly on Saturdays. You can park in the surrounding neighborhood if the parking lot is taken up, just make sure you are actually able to park there. You really don’t want to have your happy morning rained on because you got a parking ticket. The market is now considered open year-round, though most vendors will come during warmer months and then take a break during the winter and very early spring, when it’s still very cold outside. The time of year that the market is most populated by both vendors and customers is from late spring into early fall, and summer is the height of it all. The best time of year to go is when the weather is warm, and fruits and vegetables are growing and can be harvested. The last thing to note is that there is a large, very colorful mural on the wall of the maintenance building with large red flowers and a honeycomb and honey bee over a blue-purple background. It is very hard to miss because of the bright colors and large patterns.
Lastly, here are a few things you can potentially find at the North Tonawanda City Market during its peak of the season:
Honey, including honey sticks. Honey sticks are small, thin plastic straws with sealed ends and filled with liquid honey, usually you can find them with added flavors of some kind. Lemon and berries are always a good choice if you want to give the flavored ones a try.
Baked goods from local bakeries, think of scones, croissants, cookies, muffins, and fresh loaves of bread. You might even be able to find vendors with gluten-free baked goods, for anyone who might not be able to have foods containing gluten.
It may sound strange, and I remember thinking it was weird when I was a little kid, but there is the possibility of finding cheese at the market. They can have blocks to slice, curds for a quick snack, or even spreads for enjoying on a cracker.
Food trucks and stalls with dumplings, soups, sandwiches, but also beverages like freshly brewed coffee, hot chocolate, bubble tea, and even warm apple cider once fall creeps up on us all.
Dog treats and snacks are another potential find, and often come from local businesses that focus on animals and making those treats. They also can have collars and leashes, or harnesses available, to make sure your furry friends can enjoy a good time outside too.
The most obvious and expected thing you can find at the North Tonawanda City Market is produce! When something is in season and can be grown locally, it’s highly likely to be there for you. Lettuce, apples, ears of corn, melons, squash, tomatoes, berries, it’s likely there somewhere! Apples are typically there most of the year since apples are quite easy to keep fresh and edible over the winter and into spring if stored in specific conditions.
Admittedly, the City Market is still gaining steam for the warmer months, but by May, they are usually kicking off fully. If you’ve never been before, it might be a good idea to go before the busier months and get a feel for the layout and the parking situation. All in all, now is a good time to look into your general schedule for the next few months and figure out when it might be a good time to see what there is to offer here for you. Hope you enjoy it as much as so many others do!
Written By Olivia Papendick
Spring 2026 
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