Calgary Fun Hidden Gems: Apple Lady Orchard Market in Oakridge

Tucked away on Palliser Drive, a side street in Oakridge, sits a nondescript strip mall anchored by the Apple Lady Orchard Market.  This tiny approximately 1,000 square foot farmers’ market comes by its name honestly as over the summer it will offer about 50 different varieties of apples. It is owned by Liisa Hawes, who is commonly known as the “Apple Lady.”

Apple Lady

For years, Liisa sold produce she sourced directly from British Columbia farmers at the Calgary Farmers’ Market and various community markets in the summer. She quickly became known as “Apple Lady” by market patrons around the city for her selection of quality apples and her apple expertise.  Over the years, she developed an appreciation for what Calgarians wanted in the way of fresh produce and what farmers can provide. She prides herself in paying the farmers what they ask and knows what premium her customers are prepared to pay for quality produce. She has the best produce in the city.

When COVID hit and farmers’ markets closed, she quickly pivoted by asking the owner of the strip mall down the street (4-minute walk) from her Oakridge home if she could sell apples from boxes in the parking lot one day a week. They said OK and it was so successful that when a retail space in the mall became available, she grabbed it and opened her first permanent space.  As they say, the rest is history.

Fun Fact:  Who knew it takes 50 years to develop a new variety of apples? 

Good things come in small stores!

The cherry tree display was fun.

Look closely and you will see the tables and cases are all hidden gems in themselves.

Orchard Market

Liisa has created perhaps one of the most welcoming places to shop for food in Calgary. Upon entering the store, your eyes feast on the kaleidoscope of colours. The long linear store allows you to wander up one side and down the other, just like you would at a bigger farmers’ market.

Currently, the store is jam packed with not only fresh fruits, but jams and other locally made food products. Liisa prides herself on sourcing local Alberta product as much possible working directly with farmers in Alberta and British Columbia. She also prides herself in working with artesian food makers - from bakers to soap producers, potters and candy-makers. Each day a different baker brings in their fresh baked goods providing customers with a rotating selection of breads and treats.

Mesmerized by the sheer number of items, Liisa saw us and could tell we were newbies.  She then gave us the guided tour and when I asked her “How many different producers are represented in the store?” She couldn’t say! But she did say she has only turned away one person who has approached her to sell their produce – hopes to always be able to accept new producers.

Here are some photos that will allow you to begin to appreciate the variety of product sold at the Apple Lady’s Orchard Market. It really is a mini farmers’ market.

Giving Back

Liisa also participates in Calgary’s “Too Good To Go,” a social enterprise program that rescue food from stores, cafes and restaurants that might otherwise go to waste. Every day her staff put together several bags of products that is about to expire, each bag having a total retail value of $25+ and posts it on the “Too Good To Go” app - for $8.  If you have the App you, can scan what is being offered across the city, pay for it on the app and then pick it up. FYI: You must use the App to buy the bag of goodies, you can’t buy one as a casual shopper.

FYI: Apple Lady’s Orchard Market is “too good not to go.”

What did we take home?

Of course, we had to buy some apples. We bought just two as we had just bought some apples (a Pixie Crunch and a Pink Lady, both were delicious - perfect crispness and juiciness) and we were heading away in a week. We also bought a loaf of Wren’s Bakehouse’s Seeded Soughdough bread, and a package of their Wholegrain Scotch Shortbread cookies, some Minestrone Soup and tomatoes.  

Now we’ve discovered this charming place and sampled a few of their products we be back try more.

What else is in the mall?

Next to the Apple Lady is Social Grounds, which combines a café (loved the Red Velvet cookie) and separate yoga studio and art studio. There is also a pharmacy, animal clinic, liquor store and the upscale Purlieu Bistro.

FYI: “Purlieu” is French for outlying or adjacent district, which is exactly what the suburb of Oakridge is i.e. outlying from the city centre where most of Calgary’s indie restaurants are located and adjacent to the Glenmore Reservoir and its upscale neighbourhoods.

Last Word

 The “Apple Lady” is a great example of Calgary’s entrepreneurial culture. It would be great if Liisa were able to partner with other off-the-beaten path mall owners to open-up “Orchard Markets” in other suburban and established neighbourhoods.  She is a wealth of information on how to do it right. As Liisa knows what her customers want i.e. quality product, fair prices and knowledgeable, friendly service. It comes as no surprise that there was a steady stream of customers dropping by on a cold Saturday afternoon in late November. 

If you go; this is what the off-the-beaten-path mall looks like, it is easy to miss.