What Peterborough Needs: A Mariposa Type Market?

During our travels, we come across interesting businesses that we think could be a neat fit in our beautiful city.

If you were to stop for a meal at Orillia's own Mariposa Market, we think you would agree. With over 500 reviews averaging 4.5 on Trip Advisor, we're not the only ones who make sure to stop in for a bite when passing through.

Open 7 days a week, this gem is in a turn of the century building that sprawls out in all directions once you enter. With lots of wood accents and nods to its historic roots, they offer baked goods, a café and plenty of places to sit down and socialize with three levels that overlook the store. Each time we have visited, there has been a line-up for their numerous glass cabinets of freshly made meals.

Their extensive menu rotates daily so even upon frequent visits you won't have the same food twice.

Thanks to their success, the Mariposa Market recently renovated to add a quick to-go counter at the back of the building to help alleviate the line-ups for sit-down meals. They also added numerous new bathrooms on the main floor and spacious new seating in their upper floor.

Make sure to feed the parking meter in the lot across the street because you will be sure to spend some time here. The Market also includes two neighbouring stores (The Seasons Shop & The Scent Shop), both located on either side that offer home curiosities, books, kitchen ware, clothing, jewelry and handmade items.

There is also the store Apple Annie's downstairs offering every kitchen gadget you could ever dream up, fresh fudge and sauces, jams and other tasty meal items that you can either make yourself or give as a gift.

Curiously, the Mariposa Market does't offer Wi-Fi, but perhaps if they did it would clog up their already busy locale.

So now that you've had a quick run-down of what the Mariposa Market is, hopefully we've answered "Why would Peterborough need another coffee shop?". The building itself really adds to the experience so we would envision it being in an older building downtown.

Obviously we are just coming up with fun ideas to ponder in our debut "What Peterborough Needs" column, and while we already love our city the way it is, it's always fun to think of what could work or not work.

We would love to hear what you think Peterborough needs. Email us with neat places you've seen on your travels that might translate here.

—by Evan Holt

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