Historical buildings can be popular within a modern city like Toronto. St. Lawrence Market South building is a hot spot for fresh food and meat with gourmet items like various cheeses, cold cuts, sausages, baked goods, health food, fruit preserves, seafood, candies and snacks, among the vegetables and fruits. This complex of 3 old buildings have different functions: the South for special gourmet items, the North for community events and food market on Saturdays with antiques on Sundays, and the Hall for special events such as wedding receptions and dress up events. In the Historical District, these buildings are the most popular with Torontonians who shop here regularly for their gourmet treats on the weekends and for special events. Popular food vendors: Scheffler's for deli meats and cheeses, Di Liso's for fine fresh meats, Seafront for fresh seafood, and A Bisket A Basket for sweet and spicey preserves. Some locals will even wake up early just to avoid the crowds! But for those who enjoy crowds and popular spots, go on the weekend from lunch hours and afternoons. There are also a few seats and tables where one can buy a big sandwich or baked item to sit and relish because shopping can be fun and yet tiring in a crowd. Sometimes there are workshops and food demonstrations or cooking classes on the top floor for the public to learn the secrets of special cooking and baking. For food for the soul -- a gallery for paintings and artworks showcases local artists, and music entertainment by buskers who play for coin donations. (For festivals and events in this area: Tastes of the Market where the food vendors invite customers with free food samples; the Buskerfest attracts thousands of locals and tourists to the neighbourhood during the hot Summer; Woofstock for dog owners who show off their pets; Commffest for community film viewers; Toronto Dollar for raising money for charity; and Halo Halo for video recorded variety shows.) Those who live in this area advice to wait until it is near closing time for the Saturday fresh market because the prices are cut down because the items will spoil and not last till the next Saturday. So instead of waking early to beat the crowd, if you want to save money, wait until it is closing time for the discount clearance of food items such as pies and pastries and anything that spoils.
