Food and Shopping

This is a quick overview of the types of stores available in Peterborough.

Peterborough has many different types of stores. Some of the shopping options in Peterborough include:

Shopping malls (also known as shopping centres) – large indoor spaces made up of many different types of individual stores. Some shopping malls also contain department stores and grocery stores. Shopping malls contain a sit-down eating areas with fast food restaurants and cafes. This is often called a ‘food court’.

Department stores and superstores – large stores that carry a variety of items, such as clothing, furniture, cosmetics, toys, gardening supplies, electronics etc.; some also sell groceries.

Specialty stores – stores that concentrate on a particular item, such as books, shoes, furniture, clothing, lighting, home improvement, flowers, etc.

Supermarkets and grocery stores – big stores that sell a large variety of food.

Health food stores – often smaller supermarkets that sell organic and natural items, environmentally friendly cleaners, cosmetics and personal items, vitamins, supplements and homeopathic remedies. Some regular supermarkets also contain a few aisles dedicated to healthy foods.

Drug stores and pharmacies – sell prescription and non-prescription medication, personal care items, and other household products.  Some also sell natural and homeopathic items. Supermarkets and grocery stores can also contain pharmacies.

Convenience stores – small stores that sell milk, bread, snack food, newspapers and other basic items.

‘Second-hand’ or ‘thrift stores’ – sell used clothing, furniture, books and other items at lower prices.

Dollar stores – stores that sell a variety of items at low costs, often less than 4 dollars.

Farmers’ markets – outdoor and indoor, where local farmers and artisans sell fruits, vegetables, and other goods.

Garage sales (also referred to as yard sales) and flea markets – informal sales of used items that are held outside homes, apartment buildings or in large open areas. Yard sales usually take place on weekends. Anyone can put on a yard sale. A rummage sale is similar to a garage sale but is often held in churches, with all of the money going to the church or charity.

Restaurants and Food

Peterborough has a great selection of restaurants. You can choose from Canadian-style pubs and restaurants offering local cuisine to a wide variety of international cuisines, including Italian, Indian, Chinese, South Asian, Mexican, Japanese and Belgian, to name just a few. Check out the restaurants in the Peterborough Restaurant Guide.

If you prefer to eat at home, there are many grocery stores and supermarkets in Peterborough. You can find a listing of health food stores in Peterborough here. Many supermarkets also have a few sections dedicated to organic and natural foods, herbal supplements and natural personal items.

Peterborough offers an incredible variety of foods. Many international foods are available in restaurants, supermarkets, and specialty stores. For a list of international food locations in Peterborough, talk to the staff at the New Canadians Centre. Any foods not available in Peterborough may be found nearby in the diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto.

At the Peterborough Farmers’ Market and the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, you can buy fresh food right from local farmers. Here you can also find dairy products, eggs, preserves, arts and crafts made by local artisans. You can find more markets in nearby communities at greenbeltfresh.ca.

Pick-your-own farms (also known as “U-pick” farms) let you pick your own produce, such as apples, strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, beans, or buy pre-picked fresh produce directly on the farm.

Many farms have recently also set up Community Supported Agriculture (also referred to as Community Shared Agriculture or CSA) programs. CSA members or subscribers pay a fee at the beginning of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest.  A share generally translates into a weekly box of vegetables and fruit during the growing season.

Peterborough is committed to making fresh and healthy food available to all. The Food in Peterborough initiative contains a wealth of information on all existing programs designed to help those in need of temporary assistance with access to food. The Nourish website contains a list of all regional food banks, free meals and other resources.

Food Box, initiated by Nourish and YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, is a program designed to provide access to healthy, affordable food to as many people as possible in Peterborough.

Shopping

There are two main malls (or shopping centres) in Peterborough: Lansdowne Place and Peterborough Square.

Downtown Peterborough is home to many general and specialty businesses. Information on downtown businesses can be found on the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area website.

For a list of local drug stores or pharmacies, please refer to the Yellow Pages.

Most stores are open during regular business hours or office hours, which are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. However, many stores stay open later than 5:00 p.m. and are also open on weekends. Some convenience and grocery stores are open 24 hours a day.  Most businesses are closed on public (statutory) holidays.

Choosing to purchase previously used items is an affordable way to add to your wardrobe or update your décor, but also an environmentally friendly alternative.  Peterborough is home to a few second-hand shops (also known as ‘thrift stores’) that can help you do that.  Pre-used items are also placed for sale on websites like Kijiji and Craigslist.

Garage or yard sales take place all year long but are most popular in late spring, summer and early fall.  They are advertised in many publications, including Kijiji, the print version of Peterborough This Week and Peterborough Examiner. Rummage sales are also advertised in these publications.

For a listing of all other stores in Peterborough, please consult the Yellow Pages.