The Town of Newmarket is happy to announce that downtown Newmarket will soon be home to the newest venture of Locale Restaurants. Already a York Region favourite with many accolades achieved for their modern Italian fare, OpenTable listed Locale Aurora as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada in 2022 and one of 100 outdoor dining experiences in 2023 and Locale King City as one of Canada’s most beloved restaurants.
In June, the Town of Newmarket issued a Request for Proposals for a new and unique dining establishment at 500 Water Street (formerly Cachet Supper Club). After a thorough evaluation process, Locale was the successful proponent of the long-term lease. The Town looks forward to working with the team at Locale as they bring their creative vision to life in Newmarket.
“We are extremely excited to give a very warm welcome to Locale as we embark on the next chapter of 500 Water Street,” says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. “The creative vision for Bar Locale will perfectly complement the existing high calibre restaurants Newmarket has become known for throughout the GTA. This new addition will continue to enhance the cultural, culinary and economic vibrancy of our award-winning Main Street.”
Located in the heart of downtown Newmarket, 500 Water Street features a picturesque patio overlooking Fairy Lake and a prime view of buzzing Main Street. The Town-owned property has operated as a restaurant for the past two decades. The Town is proud to have retained this property as an iconic location in Newmarket that has been a strategic anchor in the revitalization of the downtown.
Bar Locale will be the fourth restaurant for owners Lilly Vona and Frank Facciponte who look forward to bringing a new Locale experience to Newmarket and becoming active members of the Main Street community. “Our team couldn’t be happier to expand into Newmarket, after quite some time searching for the right location for Bar Locale, it seems 500 Water Street found us! Our overall vision for this space is to create a food focused bar with the kind of ambiance that will engage all the senses for both an epic neighbourhood gathering place and an exciting culinary experience.”
Following extensive renovations by the Locale team, Bar Locale is expected to open in late summer 2024. It is estimated this will generate approximately 40 new jobs in the community.
About Downtown Newmarket
Over the past two decades, the Town, local businesses and building owners have invested over $30 million in the revitalization of Main Street South, leading to the continued growth of our downtown as a top dining, shopping and entertainment destination in York Region. Downtown Newmarket offers an eclectic mix of longstanding businesses including locally-owned shops, restaurants, cafes and more, balanced with many new boutique shops recently opened or soon-to-open in 2023. The continued transformation of the downtown has led to Newmarket’s Main Street being voted the best in the country and has attracted York Region’s first boutique hotel, the Postmark, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2023. The reinvention of this special heritage property into a 55-room boutique hotel, featuring a rooftop event space and restaurant will further accelerate the ongoing revitalization and renewal of downtown Newmarket.
About Bar Locale/ Locale
Locale has earned a reputation for dining excellence since opening their first location in 2013 in the historic Crawfold Wells building at the four corners of King City. Their second location opened in 2019 on Yonge Street in Aurora. Newmarket’s Bar Locale will create a new and different atmosphere and menu than the existing Locale locations, while continuing their tradition of creating food in a chef-led scratch kitchen using local ingredients wherever possible. The dining bar will be a central feature where patrons will enjoy a small plates menu, handcrafted cocktails, fine wines and beers from near and far. Plans for an open kitchen and chef’s counter will enhance the interactive experience as will Locale’s plan for a patio that will aim to combine natural elements inspired by Fairy Lake and offer a taste of local arts and culture.
