Public Market

 InfoInfo TalkTalk MapMap
Search:    
Location Market.jpgPublic Market January 2008
280 North Union St, Rochester [Directions]
Hours
Tuesday & Thursday: 6:00AM to 1:00PM
Saturday: 5:00AM to 3:00PM
Sundays: 8:00AM. to 2:00PM
See Schedule Info Below
Phone
585 428 6907
Website
[WWW]City Public Market Page
Reviews
See Comments below
[WWW]Yelp.com Discussions

farmers_market3.jpg Stuff for Sale.jpgA variety of merchandise for sale at the Public Market. Photo by [WWW]rchappo2002

The Rochester Public Market is one of the cheapest places to shop in Rochester. It is a bit crowded, and you have to use your brain. Goods are very cheap, but there is a whole range of quality. Some vendors are selling backstock that has been sitting in a warehouse for two weeks, while others are selling vegetables that they picked the day before from their farm or backyard garden. Produce is generally very high quality and at very low prices. Many large bags/boxes of food can be bought for around $1 each. $10 could feed you for two weeks.

Located just northeast of downtown. Follow the signs. Be careful, the signs may be deceiving and send you in the wrong direction or unsuspectingly onto the Inner Loop. It is recommended to look up good directions before going.

Saturdays are the big day when everyone is there; Tuesdays are much lighter, and Thursdays are a happy medium. On Saturdays, parking is often a bit of an adventure, although new satellite lots on the West side of North Union Street have improved the situation in recent years. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you'll probably be able to find a good spot inside the market grounds.

"At the Market" Special Events Schedule 2009

Notes and References

Shopping Suggestions

This is a rough guide for shopping at a public market for people who aren't used to public markets. Shopping at a public market is a lot different from a grocery store, since you have many people selling goods in proximity. Instead of blindly following a metal cart down fluorescent-lit aisles, you will end up fighting crowds, meeting people, and often getting awesome deals.

  1. Don't Buy the First Thing: You need potatoes? Don't go to the first stand. Wander around. See who is selling how much at what price.

  2. Timing Matters: What you get at what price depends on what time you shop. Show up at 7:00AM, and you will find a great selection of fresh stuff, and plenty of room to move, but you will have to pay the marked price. If you show up 1/2 hour before the place closes, you can often get cheap prices as people try to dump their stuff before going home. You will also be getting all of the goods people have passed over throughout the day.

  3. Try different sellers: If you get good fresh produce at one place, you will probably get good produce from them. But there might be someone 3 stalls away selling fresh stuff for less. Shop around, check out what each vendor has for sale.

Be sure to check out Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. You might also try Scott's Original food stand.

History

The public market has been in operation since 1827, making it one of the oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in the nation. It was originally located in what is now the downtown area, and extended over the Genesee River at the west end of the Main Street Bridge. It was then later relocated to the Center Market on the east side of the river between the Andrews Street Bridge and the Sister Cities Pedestrian Bridge. In 1905 it was once again relocated to what it is now its current location off of North Union Street in the Marketview Heights Neighborhood.

Awards

The Public Market was voted "Best Place to People Watch" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of' Awards in 2008.1

Comments


You may make your Public Market comments and additions on one of the following pages: