When you’re ready to get serious about opening your eatery, one of the first decisions you’ll make is where to set up shop. In Toronto, there’s no shortage of options. This city of neighbourhoods has space for every type of eatery—but some are better suited to restaurant businesses than others. Enter Kensington Market. This diverse and lively community has a whole lot to offer restauranteurs—and it might just be the ideal place for you.
Here are five reasons to consider setting up your next eatery in Kensington Market.
1) The Foot Traffic
Anyone who’s ever spent time people-watching in Kensington Market knows how popular the district is. The sheer volume of pedestrians that stream in and out of the area every day is truly impressive. We’re talking about a ton of foot traffic. During Sundays in the summer, the whole area is even closed off to cars! That’s good news for restauranteurs, since passersby who are on foot (as opposed to driving) are most likely to check out your eatery.
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2) The Diversity
In the mood for Baja-style tacos or Hawaiian poke? What about German street food, Caribbean chicken, Chilean empanadas, or Southern chicken and waffles? No matter what you’re craving, you’ll find it in Kensington Market. It’s one of the reasons so many restauranteurs decide to set up shop here. It’s a place where diners are open-minded—and the vendor or eatery next door is always creating something inspiring.
Want to learn more about the diversity of Toronto’s culinary scene? Click here to read our blog post on the topic.
3) The Visitors
When tourists are in town, those in the know tell them to check out Kensington Market. They arrive ready to explore, hit the shops, and (of course) sample some of the incredible cuisines these ten blocks have to offer. It’s no secret that out-of-town visitors make great customers. Between their disposable incomes and their desire for authentic experiences, they’re quick to spend money on a bite to eat. Why not be there when they’re hungry?
4) The Mixed-Use Properties
One of the things that has always made Kensington Market unique is its combination of commercial and residential spaces. An eclectic mix of shops, eateries, and grocers is nicely complemented by the many residents who call the area home. While it’s true that there’s no shortage of visitors to the area, there are also a whole lot of locals within close walking distance. In other words: play your cards right, and you could make plenty of repeat customers.
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5) Location, location, location
Kensington Market is a destination. It’s the kind of neighbourhood that both tourists and locals will go out of their way to visit. The fact that getting there is so convenient only ups the number of people who flood the area daily. Bordered by Spadina, Dundas West, College, and Bathurst, Kensington Market is a stone’s throw away from some of the city’s main arteries. Not one, not two, but four streetcar lines provide direct access to the neighbourhood.
From a central location to a high concentration of tourists, there are many things about Kensington Market that make it a great place to open a restaurant. Are you ready to see if this thriving area is right for your eatery?
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