Here’s what’s new at Hamilton Farmers’ Market (for those of us hiding in a cave since last March)

Though a good many Hamiltonians have been understandably hesitant to venture out since March 2020, activity at Hamilton Farmers' Market has continued.

Shoppers who have not been to the downtown market in the past 15 months will be in for a surprise with all the changes.

Here are some new shops that have taken up residence since the pandemic started.

Damn girl, are you a chicken burger?

In the category of something you never thought you wanted: vegan burgers that mimic fast-food chicken sandwiches.

The so-called house-made chickun" from Bring Me Some in the market's lower level has broken its promise to be 100 per cent cruelty-free by posting so many delicious looking fried creations to their Instagram page.

Co-owners Celina Masoudi and Kerry Sobers, both vegans, didn't go into business with fried chicken in mind.

Masoudi said they started making vegan lasagna, but the plan evolved into fast food."

No regrets - with fried and breaded chicken sandwiches exploding in popularity.

But do the veggie-based patties on sandwiches with names like Damn Gurl, Yous A Pineapple" and Emotional Cabbage" actually taste like chicken?

Masoudi says it's as close as it gets" and noted that a lot of their clientele are actually meat eaters.

The flavours certainly won't be bland with an expansive sauce list including Buffalo From Another Muffalo" and Kiss Me Baby One More Thai."

Olde business with new home

Far from the world of vegan burgers, Ye Olde Fudge Pot adds a flavour of a country fair to the market.

The newest of the new vendors offers what you'd expect, fudge made the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle poured over a marble slab."

Something fishy

The void of bagels and lox in downtown Hamilton has finally been filled by Joshy's Good Eats.

Beet marinated steelhead trout, pastrami gravlax and other cured fish creations are on offer from the market newcomer.

Important note: gravlax is far more delicious than the word gravlax sounds.

For in-house cured seafood, head down to the lower level.

Fritter? I hardly know her!

There can never be enough fritters in town, so the addition of the Fritter Shop to the market's roster is most welcome.

The burgeoning Dutch pastry empire expanded into the market from the London area, its fifth retail store.

Not your childhood broccoli

Find plant-based food for everyone" at That Planted Fork.

Stallholder Fraser Fitzgerald offers dips and sauces, meal kits, prepared meals and more.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com