Grand Marché marks visitor boost and first-ever profit

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Thanks to a new business plan where the city assumes some major operational costs, the Grand Marché de Québec has turned a profit for the first time since it opened five years ago.

The market, located on the ExpoCité site near the Vidéotron Centre, is operated by the Coopérative des Horticulteurs de Québec, an association of local food producers.

The CHQ released its 2024 annual report recently; the report laid out the newfound stability and growth of the year-round site, which saw a total of 850,000 visitors, an increase of about 100,000 over the previous year.

Another strong indicator is the occupancy rate of vendor stalls that hit 92 per cent by the end of the year. The market normally accommodates some 30 permanent businesses as well as about 15 seasonal market gardeners.

General manager Mario Goulet said, “We are proud of these financial results and can already say that our goal for 2025 is to surpass them. With the results of the first few months of 2025 being very positive, we are confident that we are on the right track.”

The market opened in 2019 in a completely overhauled century-old former Pavillon du Commerce building. It replaced the farmers’ market that had been situated in the Old Port for many years.

Goulet said that under a new deal signed last year, the city, which owns all the buildings on the ExpoCité site, covers such significant costs as electricity, heating and snow removal in the large parking lot. The city estimates such costs amount to about a million dollars.

Goulet said, with these modifications of the terms of the rental contract, “Our business model is much more viable.” Revenue from sales is still paid to the city as well as about $450,000 in municipal and school taxes.

There are several changes among the market tenants. The Mexican-themed bistro La Cour arrière de Québec has taken over the premises previously occupied by SNO Microbrasserie Nordik and plans to create a lively terrasse over- looking Place Jean-Béliveau during the summer. Mexican music is on the menu as well.

Le Monde des Bières, in partnership with SaucesPiquantes.ca, has moved into a new location and will offer a selection of beers from microbreweries in Quebec City and surrounding areas. The sauce offerings are being called “the largest selection of hot sauces in town.”

Coming this month is Chimney’s Pastry Shop, featuring Hungarian chimney cake as well as other sweets and ice cream. Another new arrival is Origine en Vrac, “an eco- friendly grocery store based on a zero-waste shopping concept, offering local and environmentally friendly products as well as reusable items.”

Alongside the stalls and shops, the market will be offering a wide range of events, including musical entertainment and workshops.