The store, thought to be the first of its kind on a post-secondary campus, serves as a live classroom for SAIT Polytechnic’s School of Hospitality and Tourism students.

“We are very excited to be celebrating the opening of the Market Place at SAIT. The idea for this facility built off the success of our fine dining restaurant, the Highwood,” says Tom Bornhorst, Dean of SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism. “With the opening of the Market Place at SAIT, students will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience, this time in a retail setting. They will translate customer service theory into real-world application.”

The Market Place at SAIT integrates approximately 100 students from three programs: Baking and Pastry Arts, Professional Cooking and Meat Operations and Management. The students work together in the space, selling their products, just as they would when they go to work in the community.

“With the guidance of SAIT instructors our students essentially manage this store. They play a role in every step in the process from ordering and making the products to responding to customer inquiries and requests,” says Bornhorst.

Features of the facility include a deli counter that sells meat cuts, a bakery counter displaying artisan bread (delivered fresh twice daily) and fresh baking, and coolers featuring to-go style main course and side dishes. The facility will also sell specialty culinary items such as veggie chips, almond paste, rolled fondant and specialty oil and spices.

The Market Place at SAIT is located on SAIT’s main campus in the John Ware Building. The Market Place is open Monday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Friday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.