As hard as it is to hear that the 2000s is now considered "vintage," rejoice in the fact that a whole pop-up dedicated to Y2K nostalgia is making a comeback to Toronto. 

Nostalgic Market celebrates the 2000s with art collectibles and vintage clothing curations.

There will also be contemporary takes through art such as illustrated prints inspired by culture from our collective childhoods. 

Band merch, printed tees and authentic retro sneakers are just some of the apparel. You will definitely find vintage sports memorabilia, as entire booths have been previously filled with Blue Jays jerseys and caps with team logos.  

Watch yourself travel back in time through the lens of Polaroids, film cameras and camcorders. You might finally get the chance to play the console video game titles you missed as a kid.

While you're there you can hit up a mini arcade and relive that sense of wonder.

The two-day event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 - 14. Nostalgic Market last popped up in Dec. 2022 with a holiday edge and high-quality vintage curation. 

The former Curry’s Artists' Materials building across the street from the Drake Hotel will be turned into a marketplace, at 1153 Queen St. W.

Along with over 25 vendors, you can expect giveaways of surprise loot bags and an accessible environment that's pet-friendly. 

Streetwear shop Ragstop, run by Mark Inocentes and Ashley Ortizo, is hosting vintage shops from around the GTA. They started Nostalgic Market to create exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Ragstop chose to focus on the 90s- and 2000s-era for its uniqueness, quality and sustainability. They noticed an increase in demand for sustainability and shopping local especially among millennials and Gen Z consumers.

"Vintage clothing can have historical significance and may be seen as a way to connect with the past," a representative from Nostalgic Market says. "They can be more durable and long-lasting, which is important to people who want to invest in clothing that will last for years." 

"Buying vintage clothing is a form of sustainable fashion because it helps to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion. By buying secondhand clothing, you are giving it a new life and keeping it out of landfills."

They see a strong interest in music, sports, and pop culture, "which brings nostalgia to those drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of the past."

"Vintage clothing pieces are often unique and one-of-a-kind, which means that you are less likely to see someone else wearing the same outfit," Nostalgic Market says. "This can be appealing to people who want to stand out from the crowd and express their individuality."

Inocentes and Ortizo are big into fashion, pop culture and content creating. Inocentes has sold vintage clothing and accessories for 11 years. Since 2021, they have participated in over 30 markets across Ontario.

Editor's Note: Event dates and details updated April 19th, 2023.