Welcome to Rochester's 103 year old Public Market, located in the heart of Rochester. Bargains abound Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Vendors offer their fresh foods, ethnic delicacies and specialty items. Special events throughout the year such as Sundays "Greatest Community Garage Sales and Super Flea ", and "Flower City Days" add to the flavor and excitement.
Location
The Public Market is located in the northeast part of Rochester, at 280 North Union Street, approximately 3 blocks north of East Main Street. View a map.
Days of Operation
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. year-round.
- The Market is open additional hours before and after holidays and on special occasions.
Schedule of Events
- View all of the special events happening at the Market on our the City event calendar and refine your search for "Market."
- Visitors may also pick up a current schedule of events at the Market Office.
- Public Market merchandise may be purchased from the Friends of the Market Veggie Valet stand next to the Information Kiosk at the market or by contacting the Friends at: marketfriends@rochester.rr.com. (FYI: Market merchandise is not available for purchase at the market office.) Merchandise selections include eco-friendly shopping bags, shirts, hats and more.
The Best Bargains for Every Household In Town or Out
Rochester's Public Market is a time-proven tradition within our community and an enjoyable year-round alternative to more modern establishments vending produce and goods. Corner stores and chain supermarkets are important conveniences of urban life, but the Public Market is a unique experience that transports you across 150 years of local commerce to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of other days.
What's In It For Shoppers
You'll find fresh fruit, meat, fish, poultry (live and prepared), eggs, dairy products, homebaked goods, seasonal produce, flowers, plants, jewelry, dry goods, paintings, crafts, specialty foods, ethnic delicacies, decorative items, curiosities and bargains, bargains, bargains.
Our First Market
The same exciting panorama of livestock, produce, crafts and dry goods that overwhelms a visitor today also greeted the first market goers in 1827 when the village of Rochester only had about 5,000 residents and the market was built partially over the river at the west end of the Main Street bridge. Later this unique resource was replaced by Centre Market, Rochester's first major civic undertaking, built on the river's east side between the Andrews Street bridge and the site of the present Sister Cities pedestrian bridge.
Today's Market
The present public market opened at its site off North Union Street in 1905 and currently offers over 300 selling stalls both indoors and out. Summer, spring, fall or winter, you will find the season at its freshest, tastiest and most colorful at the public market. Today, the market combines the traditions of owner-operated family enterprise,and healthful farm-fresh quality with the values of buying direct from the producer and the convenience of modern facilities.
A Good Market For Your Wares
The Market offers merchants a central city location with a constant flow of enthusiastic customers who are there to shop, to bargain and to buy. There are three sheds, two open-air and one enclosed. Open-air shed stalls are available on a seasonal basis and enclosed shed spaces are available on an annual basis. For specific rental rate information, call the Market Supervisor, Tuesday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (585) 428-6907
Friends of the Market Volunteer Opportunity
Please join the 'Friends of the Market' volunteers. Become a Public Market docent, host tours for school children and out-of-town guests. The 'Friends' meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Public Market Office at 5:15 p.m. Please feel free to send an E-mail message with questions: marketfriends@rochester.rr.com. See you there!
Market Map/Layout
Take a Bus to the Market
Come and experience one of Rochester's oldest institutions, the Public Market, and leave the driving to RTS. Downtown workers and others are also encouraged to take the #9 Bay Street bus to the Market on Tuesdays and Thursdays for noontime shopping.(For route information call RTS at (585) 288-1700.
The schedule for service to the Market from Downtown follows:
| Tuesdays & Thursdays - Leaving Main & Clinton |
Take the #9 Bay Street bus to the Public Market
|
6:34 a.m. , 7:40 a.m., 8:46 a.m., 9:52 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:06 p.m., 2:42 p.m., 3:43 p.m. |
| Tuesdays & Thursdays - Leaving the Market (Bay & Niagara) |
Take the #9 Bay Street bus to Main & Clinton |
7:00 a.m., 7:06 a.m., 9:13 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 12:49 p.m. 2:25 p.m., 3:48 p.m. |
Saturdays -
Leaving Main & Clinton |
Take the #9 Bay Street bus to the Public Market |
5:40 a.m., 7:05 a.m., 8:35 a.m., 10:05 a.m.,
11:35 a.m., 1:05 p.m., 2:35 p.m., 3:20 p.m. |
Saturdays -
Leaving the Market (Bay & Niagara) |
Take the #9 Bay Street bus to Main & Clinton |
5:28 a.m., 6:53 a.m., 8:23 a.m., 9:53 a.m., 11:23 a.m. 12:53 p.m., 2:23 p.m., 3:53 p.m. |
Questions?