Kensington Market Round 2: Loblaws

Last year, I openly wrote about my support for a Wal-Mart in the downtown core - well - close enough to downtown (article here) at Bathurst and Nassau. People were up in arms about something so big infringing on the beloved Kensington market, and while I understand their arguments, I didn't (and still don't) think that the market has anything to worry about.

That fight is over - or more like on hold, for now. This year, it's less of a fight, and more of a statement: Loblaws is coming to Kensington Market (anchoring the retail space in a condo development at Spadina/College).

Once again, the same people are up in arms about a big chain store coming in and possibly wiping out the market. People - hear me out - Kensington is safe, it will always be safe, and not even Loblaws wants to steal its business. I'm going to give you three reasons why you maybe don't have to get BEHIND the plan, but you can move out of its way.

1. Kensington Market is what makes the area attractive financially, commercially, and aesthetically. If Kensington was no more, the area wouldn't have the same charm - and the value of the condos, and the retails space wouldn't be as attractive. You better believe that the residents, and those who own the project will do everything in their power to preserve this. Now, I know what you're thinking - it's inevitable - even if people want to save it, a grocery store like Loblaws will take out the business of the produce, meat, and cheese shops in the area, but wait...

2. St. Lawrence Market is alive and well despite four, that's right FOUR major grocery chains within 700 metres or less (three of them closer than 500 metres). If you've been to St. Lawrence, you've no doubt walked by these stores, without batting an eyelash. You know that they're completely separate entities, and you're going to get a completely different experience, and product, and that's if you live in the city. If you don't, and you're travelling in - well - you're not coming into the busiest city in the country to visit No Frills, that's for sure. But, this is different kind of market right? Does this even apply to Kensington? Yes, because...

St. Lawrence Market (red circle) and its surrounding grocery stores and their distances

3. Kensington Market already has a Loblaws within walking distance to it, and it has for the last few years. The current Loblaws at Queen and Portland  is a short 900 M walk away, and there are two other chains within about a 1.5 KM radius (a little further walk, but both accessible by short streetcar ride). So, everyone is worrying how Loblaws will affect the market, when, in all reality it's already happened, and we already have the answer, and it's "not at all".

Kensington Market (green circle) and some of the closer grocery stores

I get the worry, I get the protective nature of Torontonians, and the pride we have in some of the cities great places (like Kensington), but sometimes I feel like people get their backs up to easily when it comes to change. Change is good, change means growth, and if we expect to have the money to maintain heritage sites like the markets, and the pride in these places we have today, in the distant future, we have to start learning to choose our battles.