The Central Market
By RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (96703)
Daytona Beach, Florida
February 23, 2026 3:23pm CST
The best shopping in Riga, Latvia, was never at the supermarkets. It was at the Central Market in the Old Town. The food came from the surrounding farms and was always fresh. There were also imports nicely displayed. More of everything you could possibly imagine and places you could taste something before you bought it. In the center were tables that would be covered by wares during holidays when more vendors showed up. On these tables usually gulls, like the one in the photo with the cute knobby knees, waited for someone like me. We would buy small fresh fish for our cat, and often I would toss some pieces to the gulls who flew into the market. This fellow had himself a treat and then flew back to the Daugava River that separated the two banks of Riga.
11 people like this
9 responses
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Feb
@Ronrybs and was also less expensive than supermarkets,
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (21332)
• London, England
1 Mar
@Ineeddentures Used to have a farmer's market at the university, but I haven't been in a couple of years
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (30074)
•
24 Feb
We have nothing like that anymore
A farmers market nobody goes to
That's it
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (172869)
• United States
24 Feb
We don't have any open-air markets here, only SuperCenters like Walmart or Target.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (172869)
• United States
24 Feb
@RasmaSandra Before the pandemic, we had a Farmer's Market at City Hall. Now you can't buy fruits and veggies there. It's just a bunch of junk people make. I'm not interested in that kind of stuff.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@DaddyEvil here where I live there is a Farmers Market but I have not way to get there and would not go alone at least Walmart brings my stuff to me,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Feb
@AmbiePam they were all so cute and patient in having photos taken and then I would toss the fish,
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (76805)
• Philippines
23 Feb
It is the same in my city. It's the central market here we could find fresh produce and cheaper too. Every time we had a party, my mom would bring our cook there to buy ingredients.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@toniganzon and you know everything is fresh
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (85485)
• United States
24 Feb
Those birds sure know how to manipulate us. There’s a strip mall near Beargrass Creek with a number of restaurants and outdoor seating, and they all have signs asking the customers not to feed the ducks and geese that come over from the creek.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@FourWalls poor ducks and geese,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@JudyEv the Central Market was so large you could get lost in it,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@DianneN we saved a lot of money by shopping there. I know there is some kind of Farmers Market here but no transport and I do no venture anywhere alone,
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254495)
• United States
24 Feb
@RasmaSandra There are a couple not too far from us here, but we have to drive. Some of the things they sell I have never heard of.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (79017)
• Germany
24 Feb
I like visiting markets in other countries. That would be nice if I can go to Latvia. Is it a safe place to travel? Every year, my friend and I spend a short vacation in another country. That’s always a treat for ourselves for we both have the same birth month. This year we will go to Italy {Milano and other places nearby) for a few days.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@thelme55 as long as you know where you go it is very safe. People always willing to help you too.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (219848)
• United States
24 Feb
When we lived in Cleveland we had the West Side Market. It still stands today, has been remodeled and is a landmark. Dozens of vendors bring a myriad of goods to the Market.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (96703)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Feb
@LindaOHio there is something similar somewhere in this big city but I would not go alone.
1 person likes this
