Dean Johnson, president of Sodexo Canada, and Jack Lightstone unveil the new name of the marché-style eatery.
The Niagara Market and its marché-style eatery opened earlier this year, and the Brock community has responded in droves.
And on Sept. 1, about 250 faculty and staff gathered in the spacious culinary hall when university and Sodexo officials formally declared the facility open.
Since the Market began operating in May, about 218 rotisserie chickens have been sold each day. Following the Market’s local mandate, those chickens have been from Niagara.
About 920 people go through the Market every hour. Each day, about $1,200 worth of fresh produce is available with an emphasis on produce from farms within a 100-mile radius.
These figures were given by Sodexo Canada president Dean Johnson at Wednesday’s official opening, where it was also announced that the marché will be named the Guernsey Market, for the birthplace of Sir Isaac Brock.
The Market has been a success for everyone involved, Johnson said.
“We are thrilled that the marketplace is already living up to expectations, both for Brock and for ourselves,” Johnson said.
The Market opened in May 2010 after about a year of construction. Its seating area is 12,000 square feet, while the marché is 5,000 square feet. The project cost about $9 million.
In addition to serving Brock’s faculty, staff and students, the Market is also open to the public, and will be open before Centre for the Arts performances. President Jack Lightstone said he thinks of it as an asset to Niagara as well, both as a dining area and as a way to support local producers.
Starting in September, the Market is open seven days a week, said Tom Arkell, director of Community and Ancillary Services.
Lightstone also praised staff for their work.
“We depend on you to make Brock what it is,” he said. “It’s you who drives Brock’s mission.”
Vicky Mitchell, Sodexo grill cook, serves mojo shrimp at the official opening of the Market.
Who is the Guernsey Market named after?
As a student I find the meals a little on the pricey side, but the quality of the food is outstanding. I will probably treat myself to a good meal once per week this term. And thank you Brock for the abundant seating area – it was truly needed.
Hi Kaleigh,
Guernsey is the birthplace of Sir Isaac Brock, the university’s namesake.
I like how the picture they’ve chosen to show us and use in the newspaper too is of a mojo shrimp recipe, I assume the shrimp is from lake ontario?
While i love the idea of the market and can’t argue that it doesn’t look amazing (and appetizing), after looking at a lot of the prices chances are I’ll still spend my school year going to Mcdonalds or Little Caesars. The Market just isn’t student budget friendly.
I agree with Greg and Ethan– the prices are just too high for me. While their pasta, salads and pizza look great, I’d prefer to just grab a fast, cheap meal. I’ll definately be sticking with Issacs.
I’m extremely glad for the marketplace and I think most students are as well. For the 4.5 years I have been at the school the only real choices for eating were Isaacs, or to go back into the residences to eat, and lets be honest that once youre out of res most people would not want to go a socialize in that environment because it becomes awkward. So finally there is a place on campus to get real food and actually sit (thank goodness) in a clean environment. I couldnt be happier, and if it costs a bit more, it is because it is just that much better!
Although it’s nice to have a place to sit for a change (though still a depressing lack of power outlets), and the space is very pretty, I have to agree with the three above. I’m all for local produce (YAY!) but like all of the food served here at Brock, the prices are very high. A handful of fries should NOT cost $5.00, a double-handful of salad shouldn’t cost nearly four dollars, etc. Very few of us can really afford to eat food from the marché itself, and I’ve seen more McDonalds and Timmies food there than I have grilled chicken or… well, anything resembling real food. No one can really afford it more than once a week, or in cases like mine, maybe once a month if I just can’t face another quarter-pounder case of McGurgles…
Lower prices would definitely help… or larger portions (bang for buck etc).
I will be attending Strutt on Nov.19 at the Market. Where is it on campus? I will have an 80 year old tagging along with me and don’t want to drag her unnecessarily around the entire gigantic block!
Hi Laurie,
The Market Hall is easy to find. It’s on the basement level of the Schmon Tower. When you enter the main doors of the Schmon Tower, between the elevators and the entrance to the Learning Commons, you’ll see a single door leading to a set of stairs. Go down those stairs one flight and follow the signs to Market Hall.
Alternatively, you can take the elevator to the first floor, and when you get off it, follow the signs to Market Hall.