My first time
The Mall is essentially a long corridor with cozy little stores built roughly along the length of the left side. Like the rest of the market back outside, the bright interior is packed with vintage clothes, shoes, records and posters, and paraphernalia sprinkled liberally throughout. This was a lot of new in a very short time. And I wasn’t sure how I felt.
Our group moved purposefully, making our way to the end of the corridor, and a door that apparently led to…nowhere? We suddenly halted at a completely nondescript, beat up, old brown door only remarkable in its complete unremarkableness – Is that a word? Unremarkableness? It is now.
As you push open the door, take a few steps into the blackness, and…. you’re greeted with whimsy and delight! I wasn’t expecting that at all going from “I don’t know about this…” to “Oh, this is so adorbs!” within seconds –this is why Kensington is the series opener; it’s because someone showed me this hidden gem in a nondescript corridor that changed my perspective on the Market forever.
Someone showed me this hidden gem in a nondescript corridor that changed my perspective on the Market forever.
Herman standing outside of Hooked in Kensington Market
History
Kensington Market is a tapestry of history and culture that reflects the social, economic, and political climate of its time(s). Throughout the years, Kensington Market has been home to artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and non-conformists. Before Kensington Market was the Market as we know it, it was “covered in meadows and thick forests and the plot of land was owned by the British Anglican Denison Family, a proud member of the Toronto landed elites”. Many of the streets were named after members of the Denison Family.
By the 1900s, residents began to move out for bigger plots and homes, and an immigrant Jewish population began to move in. At this point, “The Ward” was a haven for Jews fleeing poverty, or worse — pogroms — in Eastern Europe. These small, humble homes were ideal.
By the 1920s, the Denison’s land had been transformed into a thriving, bustling Jewish community. Eventually these families had built enough resources to search for larger plots of land, and as the first wave of residents left, the face of Kensington shifted again.
The next wave of residents were Hungarians who were displaced from the second World War, and later a civil war, in the 50’s. After that, it grew into a haven for Portuguese immigrants, and later it became the reception area for Indians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Filipinos, and Latin Americans. Each culture to arrive here has left its fingerprints, over and over, ultimately growing into the colourful, multidimensional mosaic, that remains ‘neatly’ contained between Dundas and College Streets, that we know today.
Each culture to arrive here has left its fingerprints, over and over, ultimately growing into the colourful, multidimensional mosaic, that remains ‘neatly’ contained between Dundas and College Streets, that we know today.
Modern Day Kensington
Only in Kensington will you find a dapperly dressed man in 30C weather
So, what still exists? For one, Augusta Fruit Market, established by Sonya Lunansky in the 1930’s, still stands today. Kiever Synagogue built in 1927, and No. 8 Fire Station built in 1878. They still stand. However, several other historic sites have fallen, prompting the Kensington Market crowd to rally together in an effort to have the entire Market recognized as an official historic site. It’s unclear how long that may take, but when Kensington gets that status, everyone will know because the party will be huge (and because we’ll be on top of that story!)
Kensington Market is now a thriving spot for tourists and locals alike. There’s still an abundance of vintage clothing (primarily along Kensington Avenue), tons of different food to try (if you like poke bowls, you have to stop in at North Poke on Baldwin and Kensington). Craving some Mexican cocktails? Try “El Nito” at El Rey Mezcal Bar on Kensington and Dundas! And there are so many other things to do — like a training session at Krudar Muay Thai, if you’re up for it (we were, sort of).
My Kensington
Who wants a piggy back?
JM and I have been visiting Kensington Market every Saturday and Sunday for over a month now, and we still feel like tourists. That’s because there’s so much to do! There are festivals happening constantly, so it’s impossible to get bored. One weekend, we stumbled upon a full band with percussion, guitarists, and vocalists playing in an alleyway. Just right there. On another weekend, we saw the artist, Victor, painting in another alleyway. THESE ALLEYWAYS ARE AMAZING! Mind blown. Is it too much to do sound effects? Well, I’m doing it now, “KA-BOOM!”
If you’re a Torontonian, get that poke bowl from North Poke, head to Denison Square, and just chill there for an afternoon. If you’re coming in from out of town, with one day to pack it all in, Pedestrian Sundays are the way to go: this is when Kensington is taken to the next level. Come with an empty stomach, and be prepared for sore feet!
So what happened on that day in the dark corridor? After stumbling through that unremarkable door, once your eyes adjust to near complete darkness, you come up on an entire wall of gold Chinese waving cats; make a hard right turn, and you’re there — in Cold Tea. This cozy bar with an amazing beer selection and a super-chill atmosphere. The beer on offer has kicked JM and I out of our cocktail ways and into a deep appreciation for beverages of the sudsy variety. This was a great place for my friends and I to unwind. I purposely didn’t post any photos because you guys have to experience it for yourself.
Kensington Market is constantly evolving, and when we come back next year to follow up, I hope we can find more Cold Teas for you!
