1895 Linwood Market
The Market in 1929
Sometimes the best ideas for the future are rooted in the past. Luckily, Niagara Falls City Market has a long and vibrant history
Niagara Falls City Market was established in 1893 by city government ordinance and the Market has operated continuously for 130 years. Originally located in the city’s North End neighborhood, City Market moved to its more centrally located current site on Pine Avenue in 1913. Initially, the Market catered mostly to the wholesale trade, but as the city’s population ballooned in the post-war era, retail business grew as well.
1920s Market Front
1950s Market
By the 1950s, a host of other businesses had sprung up, including banks, stores selling paint, hardware, dry goods, shoes, and groceries, and a host of restaurants. At its height, City Market attracted 15,000 patrons a day who purchased poultry, eggs, butter, cheese and every fruit and vegetable that local farms had to offer.
A number of factors led to the Market’s decline, including changes in shopping habits, rapid depopulation, and the city’s decision to lease the Market to a private operator. Inadequate resources for management, marketing, and maintenance compounded the challenges, leading to a downward spiral of fewer vendors and fewer customers.
The City Market Today
Farmers continue to sell three days per week (year-round on Fridays) and several popular restaurants operate next to the Market.
Loyal customers visit the Market regularly.
Other historic public markets in New York State and around the country have faced similar challenges and, with strong local leadership and targeted investments, have made their markets hugely successful operations.
Niagara and adjacent counties offer a bounty of locally grown food. Many regional farmers look to agritourism and direct consumer sales to maintain their viability.
Niagara Falls continues to be a world-class destination, with over 11million international and domestic visitors each year.
Produce for the Niagara Falls City Market comes from a number of dedicated farms.
The City of Niagara Falls has recently made City Market a community and economic development priority. In 2022, the City replaced its former manager and retained Field & Fork Network, a local not-for-profit organization, to manage the Market and facilitate the use of federal nutrition incentive programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, & Children(WIC) program, and Double-Up Food Bucks. A new property manager has cleaned up and beautified the facility.
