{{Short description|Market in Nova Scotia, Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=November 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox shopping mall | name = Masstown Market | logo = Masstown Market logo.png | logo_width = 250px | logo_alt = "Masstown Market" in green text with a collection of fruit and a cornucopia. Text on a green ribbon below reads "close to home, far from ordinary" | image = NS-01000 - Masstown Lighthouse (52183888131).jpg | image_alt = White lighthouse with a red roof | caption = Fish shop at Masstown Market | coordinates = {{coord|45.3933|-63.4960|display=inline,title}} | address = 10622 Highway 2, Masstown, Nova Scotia | opening_date = {{start year|1969}} | previous_names = The Fruit Stand | owner = Laurie Jennings | website = {{official URL}} }}
'''Masstown Market''' is a shopping area in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the community of Masstown. A popular destination for tourists and residents of the Maritimes, the market is one of the largest employers in the area. Established in 1969 as a small farm-gate operation, Masstown Market encompasses a large farmer's market, a pharmacy, a creamery and butchery, a fresh fish shop, and a fish and chips restaurant. Laurie Jennings, the owner of Masstown Market, also owns the adjacent gas station and convenience store.
==Description== Masstown Market is located just off Highway 104 in the small community of Masstown.<ref name="macivor"/> The 30,000-square-foot farmer's market has a wide selection of fresh produce, a bakery, gift shop, garden centre, ice cream stand, and an NSLC liquor boutique.<ref>{{cite news |author=((Saltscapes)) |author-mask=[Saltscapes] |title=To Market, to Market |url=https://www.saltscapes.com/people-culture-section/people-culture-category/1909-to-market-to-market.html |work=Saltscapes Magazine |location=Halifax, N.S. |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="tourismns">{{cite web |author=((Tourism NS)) |author-mask=[Tourism NS] |title=Masstown Market |url=https://novascotia.com/listing/masstown-market/ |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=Tourism Nova Scotia |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref> In addition to the main market, Masstown Market also has a separate pharmacy, creamery, and butchery.<ref name="montague"/> The creamery and pharmacy are located in the same building, opened in August 2018 across the street from the main market.<ref>{{cite web |author=((Tourism NS)) |author-mask=[Tourism NS] |title=Masstown Butchery & Creamery |url=https://novascotia.com/listing/masstown-butchery-creamery/ |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=Tourism Nova Scotia |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref> A lighthouse at the market houses their fish shop, and an adjacent boat serves as a fish and chips restaurant in the summer.<ref name="tourismns"/>
Masstown Market is a popular destination for tourists and local customers from across the Maritimes. The market offers a large selection of cheeses and dairy products, as well as locally grown produce; their baked goods are particularly in demand.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dunlop |first1=Dale |last2=Scott |first2=Alison |date=2010 |title=Exploring Nova Scotia: A Guide to 400+ Unique Adventures and Activities |url=https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Exploring_Nova_Scotia/Kg3GDgAAQBAJ |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=Formac Publishing Company |page=253 |isbn=978-0-8878-0903-3 |access-date=19 November 2025 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
==History== Masstown Market was established in 1969 by the farmer Eric Jennings as a small farm-gate retailer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Stephanie |date=29 November 2024 |title=How a small‑town N.S. market has cultivated community resilience and sustainable agriculture |url=https://www.dal.ca/news/2024/11/29/masstown-market-dalhousie.html |website=Dal News |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=Dalhousie University |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref> Jennings started the business with less than {{CAD}}500 of funds; he borrowed some money from his neighbour and business partner to purchase the land for the market, and spent the initial months of operation working to pay him back. Recalling the transaction, Jennings noted that "back then you could do that. You could make a deal with a neighbour on nothing but a handshake."<ref name="rogers2019">{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Stephanie |date=6 November 2019 |title=Five decades of family, fun and fresh local products |url=https://www.dal.ca/news/2019/11/06/five-decades-of-family--fun-and-fresh-local-products.html |website=Dal News |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=Dalhousie University |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
Initially known as "the fruit stand", Masstown Market benefited from the presence of campgrounds in the area, and the market had expanded threefold by 1973.<ref name="rogers2019"/> As a family business, all four of Jennings' sons became involved with the market, each playing a role in its expansion. His son Laurie eventually took over day-to-day operations of the market, but Eric remained involved.<ref name="rogers2019"/>
In December 2012, Laurie Jennings purchased and demolished the nearby Masstowner Motel, and subsequently began planning for a new gas station and convenience store.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Harry |date=12 November 2013 |title=Masstowner Motel changes ownership |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/masstowner-motel-changes-ownership-144297 |work=The Chronicle Herald |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=SaltWire Network |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="macivor"/> Masstown Market was attracting over one million customers per year by 2013, with a workforce of around 125 people.<ref name="macivor">{{cite news |last=MacIvor |first=Angela |date=4 December 2013 |title=Masstown Market eyes major expansion |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/masstown-market-eyes-major-expansion-1.2450886 |work=CBC News |location=Nova Scotia |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
A sign resembling the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was erected at Masstown Market in 2019. The sign reads "Welcome to Fabulous Masstown, Nova Scotia" and was created by Sid Sells Signs of Truro. The sign drew mixed reactions; some residents thought it was out of place in Masstown, while others expressed their approval.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Harry |date=12 November 2019 |title=New sign in Masstown similar to iconic Las Vegas logo |url=https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/new-sign-in-masstown-similar-to-iconic-las-vegas-logo-375094 |work=The Chronicle Herald |location=Halifax, N.S. |publisher=SaltWire Network |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
The market completed a large solar installation in 2023 and began generating 230 kilowatts of energy. Solar panels were installed on the roof of the 15,000-square-foot creamery and butchery building, on ground mounts, and on the pharmacy.<ref name="montague">{{cite news |last=Montague |first=Derek |date=31 January 2023 |title=Masstown Market completes massive solar project |url=https://huddle.today/2023/01/31/masstown-market-completes-massive-solar-project/ |work=Huddle |location=Saint John, N.B. |publisher=Acadia Broadcasting |access-date=19 November 2025}}</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px> Hodgepodge ingredients at Masstown Market.jpg|Local produce at Masstown Market Masstown Creamery and Butchery.jpg|The Masstown Creamery and Butchery </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} * [https://novascotia.com/listing/masstown-market/ Masstown Market] at Tourism Nova Scotia * [https://tasteofnovascotia.com/members/masstown-market/ Masstown Market] at Taste of Nova Scotia
{{Portal bar|Food|Canada|Nova Scotia}} Category:Food markets in Canada Category:Buildings and structures in Colchester County Category:Tourist attractions in Colchester County Category:Food and drink companies based in Nova Scotia Category:Butcher shops Category:Cheese retailers Category:Fish and chip restaurants Category:Garden centres Category:1969 establishments in Nova Scotia