By Krishika Jethani –
A new market took over St. Lawrence’s former Sunday Antique Market last June. The Sunday Variety Market, organized by Kealan Sullivan, founder of the Hippie Market, has started a new vintage tradition in the heart of Toronto.
At the St. Lawrence Market tent, you’ll find an extravagant environment full of vintage clothing, jewelry and furniture with house music mixed by the market’s own disk jockey.
“My husband and my team have been running markets in the West End since 2019,” Sullivan said. “We started noticing an increasing number of people who were becoming vendors both in the vintage space and the handmade space.”
When contacted by the St. Lawrence Market, Sullivan had a different vision for the designated space. She wanted to open it up to diverse entrepreneurs of different ages and create a sense of community.
Emily Chung, vendor of Modern and Thrifted, heard about the market through Instagram and other vendors promoting it. “I like meeting new people or walking through the market. It’s also been fun to meet other vendors who are selling something similar,” she said.
Tony Veder, vendor of DLR Clothing, has previously worked with Sullivan and other markets and thoroughly enjoys the “mystique” of the St. Lawrence Market.
“This is really well put together. There’s such a great quality level of vendors here and such a great selection that the challenge is that there is no challenge,” said Veder.
Brandi Quirk, vendor of Lost and Found Curated Vintage has worked at least three times at the market. “I have the best conversations with people. I meet really interesting people and whether or not they buy anything, it’s so rewarding,” she said.
The Sunday Variety Market is busy, with a wide variety of merchandise available. The next market is scheduled for October 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sullivan is also launching an Old Antique Market on Nov. 12, as well as a Holiday Market every Sunday from Nov. 26 to Dec. 17. Both will be at the same location in the St. Lawrence Market tent.
