This is my first post for #MarketFriday created by Hive account@dswigle, a gal who is both a great member of #steemusa and is also the first person I ever exchanged greetings with on a DISCORD! 😄

One of my FAVORITE markets is one I didn’t discover until MUCH later in life.

Granville Island

GRANVILLE ISLAND , located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a wonderful little neighborhood that is home to many shops, restaurants, artists studios, theaters and a public market. Though not technically an island, the area can be reached by boat or car and is within walking distance of downtown Vancouver, BC.

The aquabus makes several stops along False Creek including Hornby Street, Granville Island, Yaletown and the Plaza of Nations.

The “island” itself is man made. In the early 20th century this former mud flat was transformed to create a space to house a variety of factories and warehouses. Industries from shipping, to forestry, to mining utilized the land reclaimed from False Creek. Today there is still some industry on the island including the company Ocean Concrete.

Ocean Concrete

Ocean Concrete is famous for their silos. Known as The Giants, these silos were painted by Portuguese twins, Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo in 2014.
More Information

In the 1950’s Granville Island transformed once again. To create more space for industry, the city filled the channel on the island’s south side. Today the island is connected to the city via the Granville Bridge and to the Fairview neighborhood via the fill.

In the late 1970’s Granville Island began it’s transition from industrial area to urban oasis. At the time, many of the island’s industrial buildings had fallen into disrepair. Vancouver MP, Ron Basford, championed the idea of creating a mixed use space that was both friendly towards industry, shopping and the arts. With Basford’s support, the Public Market opened in 1978. This paved the way for the island’s future success.

Entrance Granville Island Public Market

My First visit to Granville Island wasn’t until 2014!!!

Growing up in Seattle I had MANY opportunities to visit Vancouver. The cities, though in different countries, are only 3 hours apart by car (it would be a shorter drive without border delays). Yet somehow I missed this gem for almost 40 years of my existence! Now I make it a point to visit Granville Island every time I am in Vancouver.

View of the Public Market as seen from Granville Street Bridge.

The Public Market is divine. It is filled with food, flowers and artisans. If I lived in Vancouver this would be a favorite spot to buy fresh ingredients for dinner. As a visitor it is still a fantastic place for breakfast or to put together a picnic lunch.

Fresh vegetables 🥦🍅🌽

Meats 🥩🍖🍗

ALL the cheese. 🧀

Bread and pastries

Next are the desserts. The Public Market is good for all the fresh stuff, but GREAT for the sweets!

Macaroons

Cookies

Chocolates

Cheesecakes

So nice I ate it TWICE!!! 2014 & 2018.

What is almost as nice as food? Flowers! Beautiful fresh flowers are available for purchase year round.

Hydrangeas, roses, tulips, gerbera, etc. 💐

Each visit to Granville Island I try to buy a piece of art. I am oddly obsessed with sort of whimsical, childlike pieces. An artist named Olga Sugden frequents the market and I love her work.

HERE is a link to her website. I own this piece and this piece. So stinking cute.

In addition to the the Public Market, Granville Island is home to almost 50 artisan galleries. These include fine arts, photography, jewelry, silk weaving, ceramics, candle making, wood working and a blacksmith. There is also a pet shop (supplies and treats only) and an entire children’s market devoted to toys, children’s books and clothing.

Pet treats, toys and Canadian themed bandannas.

Husband chatting up a couple of girls at the Children’s Market. 😄

A whimsical bit of woodwork.

Granville Island also provides a bountiful selection of quirky and tourist items. The beauties below were spotted at Make, one of my favorite places to shop on Granville.

Entertaining t-shirts, housewares and blankets.

Enjoy the Views

Granville’s location on the south side of False Creek lends itself to beautiful views. It is a great spot to watch ships pass and to view the city skyline. You can also catch glimpses of the mountains which tower to the north of the city.

Looking towards Yaletown.