Toronto’s Stackt Market: A Trendy Hub for Creativity and Community
Toronto’s Stackt Market transforms shipping containers into a vibrant cultural hub, by featuring a space for the local community to gather and interact. This innovative marketplace blends retail and community events, making it a must-visit destination for anyone in the Toronto Area. Stackt is reshaping urban spaces in order to build a community-driven experience like no other.
By: Ashima Panikar
Image from: Stackt Market Website
The Stackt Market officially opened its doors in downtown Toronto in April of 2019. The concept of the Market was designed in a way to utilize vacant spaces in a sustainable way. Builders repurposed old shipping containers to build an ever-evolving marketplace. Today Stackt is a year-long market that features local vendors, art installations, and events that further the community-driven place they're aspired to create for the city. Stackt is an example of how a simple object like a shipping container can be flipped and transformed into a creative multi purpose destination for many to enjoy.
Securing a spot at Stackt Market is a great opportunity for many small businesses and artists, and looking to showcase their products in a high-traffic space. The process begins with an application through Stackt’s official website where vendors provide details about their business and how they align with Stackt’s ethos. The market aims to offer a diverse mix of brands, so applications are reviewed to ensure they fit within its retail, food, and experiential offerings. Preference is often given to sustainable, local, and unique businesses. Stackt offers flexible leasing options, including short-term pop-ups and longer-term spaces, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Stackt is able to provide business with a platform to engage with the Toronto’s diverse community. Due to the markets ability to bring together this diverse group of vendors, customers are able to discover new products and enjoy unique experiences.
Stackt Market has had a significant impact on the business landscape in Toronto. By repurposing shipping containers, Stackt transformed an underutilized space into a hub of community. The vendors at Stackt are able to access a large clientele base in a more calm setting. The market's commitment to supporting sustainability and local businesses has helped boost Toronto’s small business ecosystem. Beyond its direct economic attributes, Stackt has also become a social focal point in the city by hosting a variety of events, from art installations to live performances. Thes events allow a space for lesser-known artists to showcase their talents and become more well known amongst the community.
Stackt Market stands as a testament to the power of creative urban development, offering a sustainable and community-driven space that benefits both businesses and the broader Toronto community. As Stackt continues to evolve, it remains an essential part of Toronto’s innovative sphere and has redefined how urban spaces can be enhanced to help foster connections ultimately helping the economic growth of locals in the city.
Trump’s Tariffs are also a growing concern for Canadians. Not only would prices of goods increase tremendously, it also will inadvertently devalue the Canadian dollar. The new 25% tariff would add trade barriers between the nations thus the number of goods exported to the US will decrease. Currently, an approximate 1 trillion dollars worth of goods are exported from Canada, ⅓ of them being to the US. It is inferred that the trade ban would reduce investor confidence as Canada would be more vulnerable to external shocks. They may seem more inclined to invest in countries that are able to maintain stability in their GDP. The reduced exports will also lower the GDP of the nation. US exports make up an approximate 2% of our GDP. Trump’s tariffs will cause a significant decrease in our GDP, increase our cost of goods and it will also devalue the Canadian dollar.
Other disadvantages of the Canadian dollar include higher rates from the Bank of Canada due to the inflationary impact. This would also impact consumer spending power which would in turn lower real wage growth.
Although, economists agree that there are some benefits to the devaluation of the Canadian dollar. A weaker Canadian dollar will make Canada’s exports more competitive according to economist Nakamura. “A weaker loonie would help offset the impact of any tariffs, even as they make Canadian imports more expensive.” Rees, an economist, says.
Canadian citizens need to watch out for the upcoming news about the Devaluation of the Canadian dollar to make informed decisions about money and investments.