Why Spending a Saturday at the Thunder Bay Country Market is Basically a Fall Tradition
Amanda Bay
October 29, 2025
It’s 9 a.m. on a crisp Saturday morning in Thunder Bay! You make your way to the CLE grounds, swing open the doors, and boom—you’re instantly greeted with the sweet smell of fresh baking, the buzz of conversation, and a lineup of booths FULL of local love. Music strums upstairs, kids are laughing from the play area, and someone hands you a cup of locally roasted coffee. This isn’t just a grocery run…it’s a total autumn ritual.
If there’s one place where the fall season feels especially alive, it’s the Thunder Bay Country Market. It has this way of turning an ordinary Saturday into something that feels straight out of a cozy small town movie. Farmers, bakers, makers, and musicians roll in, and every table is piled high with local goodness, and produce that’s been grown, picked, and baked by neighbours who are proud to share their harvest.
Here are a couple fall favs you need to check out:
Pitch Creek Farm: One of the spots everyone makes a beeline for. IYKYK…their carrots are famously sweet (you honestly don’t realize how good a carrot can be until you’ve crunched into one of theirs). People wait all year to stock up, filling bags with potatoes, rutabagas, parsnips (a total rainbow display of produce) that are destined for soups and stews this time of year.
The Little Pie Shop: Their tiny pies are as cute as they are delicious, perfect for sharing (or not). The owner says pies have this magical ability to make any house feel like home. Wild Blueberry, Apple, Coconut Cream, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream and the fall OG, Pumpkin pie fill the booth shelves. The cinnamon spread is non-negotiable. It’ll turn even plain toast into a treat. No regrets.
Big Lake Pasta: Fall and pasta were basically made for each other. Big Lake Pasta has been making noodles the traditional way since 2015, using methods like pressing dough through bronze dies for the perfect texture. Their Lake Superior–shaped pasta is fun too, and it’s the perfect excuse to cook up something cozy at home.
Hearthstone Breads: Upstairs, Hearthstone’s sourdough loaves practically glow from their market space. The Dill & Gouda loaf sells out in a flash, while the Basil & Olive Oil is also a crowd favourite. Each loaf is decorated with leaves or grain patterns to celebrate the season. They’re beautiful to look at and even better to eat. Ingredients are sourced locally whenever possible, right down to the flour!
Debruins: As we begin to bid adieu to fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, Debruins keeps the taste of summer alive with their jarred spaghetti sauce, zesty salsa, Million Dollar relish, and classic Bread & Butter pickles. Stock up now while the shelves are full and you’ll thank yourself when the snow falls. Don’t skip their late season tomatoes while you still can— absolutely nothing compares to the flavour!
But the market isn’t only about produce and baked goods. It’s also a place where you can slow down and savour the experience. Grab a cup of coffee, maybe a croissant or a cookie, and wander upstairs. Local performers often set up, filling the space with live music. Families gather here, friends meet up, and kids run between booths and hang out in by the Kids Zone, which keeps little ones busy with fun activities.
There’s also a treasure trove of handmade goods! From candles and jewelry to fall-inspired décor, artisans bring out their best this time of year (and why not think ahead—these handcrafted finds make perfect holiday gifts). And yes, there’s apple cider waiting to warm you up on chilly mornings.
Pro Tips for the Best Market Day:
So this weekend, throw on that knit sweater, grab your market tote, and make the Thunder Bay Market part of your fall tradition. A full list of vendors can be found here.
