STACKT Market in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a captivating concept – not only because it’s created from 120 recycled shipping containers – but because ‘pet dog friendly’ is an important part of its identity. STACKT Market is all about community, and that community definitely includes dogs.

Frankly, this might be one of the most dog-friendly places I have visited in Toronto yet (although High Park is up there), and I’m excited to tell you why. But first …

What is STACKT Market?

While not the first repurposed shipping container public site – Saint John in New Brunswick, for instance, recently opened something similar – STACKT Market is one of the most ambitious concepts, extending beyond simply retail and restaurant space. Add to this traditional duo, a basketball court, a pickleball facility, community gardens, an indoor yoga studio, and a dog park – yes, an off-leashed dog park – takes up significant real estate here.

Founder Matt Rubinoff has plans to extend the STACKT model into other Canadian cities, most recently Ottawa. The Toronto version opened in 2019, initially temporarily. Unfortunately, as we all know, 2020 wasn’t the best year to test-market a project that focused on community and connectivity. Despite the timing, STACKT got a lot of attention, along with business and architecture awards, and subsequently negotiated a ten-year lease with the city of Toronto.

Located at 28 Bathurst St. in Toronto on a former industrial site and parking lot, STACKT is anchored by the Molson-Coors owned Blue Moon Brewery, which has both indoor and outdoor dining options. However, only the outdoor picnic tables are pet dog-friendly. Dogs are not permitted inside the brewery.

Is STACKT Market Dog-friendly?

Yes. Inside Blue Moon Brewery might be one of the few spots dogs are barred from at STACKT. Other than the brewery, vendors include small businesses (a focus) selling both food and retail products such as vintage clothing, jewelry, and books. I had no problem taking my pup into retail outlets – ‘Be Ready in Five’ clothing even had dog treats on hand. Many businesses are permanent, but others are not. Turns out temporary is cool.

An important part of the STACKT market vibe is that small businesses can rent shipping containers – now turnkey retail outlets – by the week or month. This is beneficial for a couple of reasons: First, the local business can test market a storefront without committing to a long-term lease. Second, visitors, particularly those from in and around the Toronto area, get a new experience every visit. Just as every dog park visit is a new experience for your pup, shopping at STACKT lets you sniff out new stuff too. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Food vendors also come and go, adding to the no-two-visits-alike experience. A few of the popular food vendors, such as Haydn’s self-serve yogurt bar (popular in the summer) are permanent, and clearly, dogs aren’t permitted near food. But there’s more outdoor seating here than indoor, so eating with your pup isn’t an issue.

Libation options change up too. Thanks to outdoor kiosks, pop-up vendors selling cocktails and alcoholic beverages dot the outdoor seating area rotate regularly. Sample a beer or cocktails with your leashed dog at your side at any outdoor picnic table, high top bar tables, or covered cabana-like enclosure – my choice considering it gave my pup some shade and a reprieve from greeting the other pups wandering about.

Can dogs be off-leash at STACKT Market?

Clearly, leashes are required while strolling around amid other people, but there is a leash-free option at STACKT Market which is popular with locals – particularly those in one of the many condos towering along Bathurst Street. Bark Yard! Toronto’s first licensed dog park.

Ok, confession time – when I first heard ‘licensed dog park’ I immediately assumed all dogs must be licensed with a municipality. (True of most dog parks). But no, this is referring to – once again – booze. If there wasn’t enough drinking with your dog options at STACKT Markets already, there’s one more: inside the double gates of the fully fenced off-leash dog park.

Bark Yard is covered with astro turf, which might throw your dog off when it comes to number one – it did mine. But the edges are lined with garden cover, easily absorbing dog pee. My pup figured it out.

Bark Yard is extra busy from 4 to 6 pm daily, and not only because locals are exercising their dogs after work. It’s Yappy Hour and not only can human guests enjoy a cocktail from the dog park side bar, but dogs get free puppaccinos. (Assuming they can tolerate dairy).

Summer Festivals

Vendor festivals are part of the STACKT Market vision – have a small business that isn’t ready for a retail space? Try one of the festivals, including several pet-themed ones run by Kreative Market. The next Pet Fest is August 10, 2025, from noon to 7 pm. Dog-themed vendors set up tables and tents within the Bark Park boundaries. Note on these festival days, the dog park gates are wide open … so no leash-free fun on those days, ironically.

Overall, STACKT Market is an innovative re-visioning, even gentrification, of urban areas. Part city retail block, part public park, and part community centre, this is an interesting work-in-process. Not all containers/store fronts are rented, and evening events have posed some noise challenges for the condo residents it caters to. For visitors with dogs,

STACKT Market is an entertaining place to spend a couple of hours shopping, eating, imbibing, and letting the mutt have a stimulating off-leash sniff and romp before heading back to the city streets where being on a short leash is necessary.

If you go….

STACKT Market at 28 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am to 11 am. Note: stores are open from noon to 8 pm. The fenced leash-free dog park – Bark Yard – hosts Yappy Hour on weekdays from 4 to 6 pm. There is no big and little dog separation, but both entrances are double-gated, and water is available. STACKT Market has 25 rotating stores in former shipping containers, one brewery, nine food outlets, and six beverage boxes, including one in the Bark Yard.

The Chelsea Hotel (about a 5-minute drive from STACKT Market) is our favourite dog-friendly hotel in Toronto.

Looking for more Toronto dog-friendly suggestions? Check out our Toronto guide here or the dogtrotting.net guide to pet events in Canada (updated regularly).

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!