This is my first post for #MarketFriday created by
, a gal who is both a great member of #steemusa and is also the first person I ever exchanged greetings with on a DISCORD! š
One of my FAVORITE markets is one I didnāt 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 āislandā 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 1950ās Granville Island transformed once again. To create more space for industry, the city filled the channel on the islandās 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 1970ās Granville Island began itās transition from industrial area to urban oasis. At the time, many of the islandās 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 Basfordās support, the Public Market opened in 1978. This paved the way for the islandās future success.
Entrance Granville Island Public Market
My First visit to Granville Island wasnāt 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 š„¦š
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Meats š„©šš
ALL the cheese. š§
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. š
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 childrenās market devoted to toys, childrenās books and clothing.
Pet treats, toys and Canadian themed bandannas.
Husband chatting up a couple of girls at the Childrenās Market. š
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
Granvilleās 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.
Soak up that Canadian vibe.
Snow covered peaks behind the Burrard St. Bridge.