- District 1919 -
About URBAN MARKET 1919
Ever since we opened our doors, our goal has been to create a place where community and local vendors can come together to share their stories, build relationships, and grow together. When you shop at Urban Market, you support local businesses—not just ours, which is why we want to make our about section more than just us.
Urban Market is where community meets & where 350+ local Newfoundland vendors have offered their products for sale. You can check out our list of vendors available Here.
Our Team
Nicole has been an integral part of Urban Market 1919 for the past five years, playing a significant role in the business's growth and success.
From assisting customers at the cash to managing vendor orders and reviewing accounts, Nicole has taken the initiative to understand the business from the ground up. As Urban Market has grown, so too has her role and the level of responsibility she has taken on.
One of Nicole's most significant contributions has been developing and refining an accounting system that efficiently and accurately manages hundreds of invoices each month.
Urban Market 1919 operates differently from many retailers of its size. While most businesses rely on a limited number of large wholesalers, Urban proudly supports hundreds of small local vendors alongside larger suppliers. This creates a unique and complex accounting environment, one in which Nicole has truly excelled.
While continuing to grow professionally at Urban Market, Nicole successfully completed her Bachelor of Business Administration at Memorial University and is now working toward her CPA designation. Her commitment to education, professional development, and the success of the business is a testament to her dedication and work ethic.
Nicole's knowledge, initiative, and genuine passion for Urban Market 1919 have made her an invaluable member of our team. Her contributions are appreciated by both management and her fellow employees, and we are incredibly grateful to have her as part of Urban's continued success.
Nicole Seaward
Accounts Manager
Melissa Sawers
Melissa's journey with Urban Market 1919 is a wonderful example of what dedication, determination, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can achieve.
Coming from a career in the home care sector, Melissa brought with her a deeply rooted work ethic, compassion, and a commitment to helping others. She joined Urban Market 1919 as a Retail Associate and, through hard work, initiative, and a willingness to learn, steadily advanced to the position of General Manager over the past four years.
Melissa has always recognized the importance of understanding a business from the inside out. Her commitment to professional growth is evident in her willingness to take on new responsibilities, including her current temporary training role as an Accounting Assistant. By developing her knowledge across multiple areas of operations, Melissa continues to strengthen her leadership abilities and prepare for future opportunities within Urban Market 1919 and District 1919.
One of Melissa's favourite aspects of her role is building relationships with our local vendors and helping create an environment where their businesses can grow and succeed. She understands that Urban Market is more than a retail store; it is a community of entrepreneurs, makers, and small businesses working together.
Throughout her four years with Urban Market 1919, Melissa has demonstrated tremendous personal and professional growth. Her leadership, enthusiasm, and genuine care for the people behind the products have made her an invaluable member of our team.
Melissa's commitment is appreciated not only by management and her fellow employees but also by the many vendors who have come to know and trust her. We are incredibly grateful for the passion, dedication, and sense of community she brings to Urban Market 1919 every day.
General Manager
Jane Bonia
What began as a small selection of fresh flowers at Urban Market 1919 has grown into a thriving floral business, and Jane Bonia has played a significant role in bringing that vision to life.
Jane joined our team three years ago to help develop what was then a very early venture into the floral industry. Recognizing the growing demand for fresh flowers among Urban Market customers, Jane worked alongside Ivy Hanley to transform Teresa James Floral from a small in-store offering into the established floral business it is today.
What started with fresh bouquets created by the owner for the convenience of Urban Market customers has evolved into a full-service flower shop with its own storefront, three floral designers, and a loyal and growing customer base. While Teresa James Floral has developed its own identity, its roots remain firmly planted at Urban Market 1919. Its success is a wonderful example of Urban Market's ability to nurture a small business and help it grow into something much larger.
Jane's greatest strengths lie in her exceptional customer service, creativity, and ability to understand the individual needs of each client. Her eye for beauty, attention to detail, and willingness to think outside the box have helped establish Teresa James Floral as a distinctive choice for floral design in St. John's.
Today, Jane manages the floral shop, overseeing a growing range of services that includes fresh daily bouquets for Urban Market 1919, local flower delivery, funeral arrangements, large wedding orders, corporate events, and custom floral designs. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding the business while maintaining the personal service and creativity that customers have come to appreciate.
Jane's dedication, artistic vision, and genuine commitment to her customers have contributed tremendously to the success of Teresa James Floral. She is a valued member of the Urban Market 1919 and District 1919 team, and we are incredibly grateful for the role she continues to play in growing our floral business and bringing our vision to life.
Floral Manager
Martin Dyke
Store Manager
It's hard to spend time at Urban Market 1919 without meeting Martin Dyke. His infectious smile, positive energy, and genuine enthusiasm for people have made him a familiar and much-loved face among our customers and staff.
Originally from Jamaica, Martin came to Newfoundland looking to establish a new chapter in his life. When he joined Urban Market 1919 in search of full-time employment, he quickly demonstrated that he had much more to offer than simply filling a position. His exceptional work ethic, dedication, and willingness to embrace new opportunities have made him an important part of our growing team.
Martin has never been one to shy away from additional responsibilities or new challenges. His eagerness to learn, take initiative, and contribute wherever needed has allowed him to grow professionally while discovering a genuine passion for his work. What began as an opportunity for full-time employment has developed into a meaningful career with Urban Market 1919.
Today, Martin plays a key role in our daily retail operations, helping ensure the storefront runs smoothly while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere our customers have come to appreciate. Whether he's assisting a customer, supporting his fellow employees, or managing the many moving parts of a busy retail environment, Martin approaches each day with enthusiasm and a smile.
Beyond his professional contributions, Martin brings something equally valuable to Urban Market 1919: a sense of positivity, kindness, and connection. His personality has made a lasting impression on both customers and colleagues, and his commitment to the business continues to grow alongside his responsibilities.
We are incredibly proud of Martin's journey and look forward to celebrating another important milestone with him as he works toward obtaining permanent residency in Canada. We are excited to see what the coming years bring for Martin, both personally and professionally, and are grateful to have him as part of the Urban Market 1919 family.
Ivy & Greg Hanley
Founders & Owners
Every great business begins with a vision, and for Ivy and Greg Hanley, that vision began with an old ice cream factory and the belief that an overlooked property could become something meaningful for the community.
In 2019, Greg acquired the former Brookfield Ice Cream factory property in St. John's. When he brought Ivy to tour the grounds and buildings, she immediately fell in love with the location and its possibilities. With a natural ability to recognize potential in places, ideas, and people, Ivy saw an opportunity to transform a neglected building into a space where local businesses and the surrounding community could grow together.
Through years of hands-on work, determination, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit, Ivy and Greg transformed that vision into Urban Market 1919. Today, the business has grown into a thriving destination for gifts, groceries, local craft beer, and unique Newfoundland and Labrador products, proudly supporting hundreds of local vendors.
What makes Urban Market 1919 unique is its commitment to creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes. From small home-based producers to established local brands, the market provides a convenient, sustainable retail environment where vendors can reach new customers and grow their businesses. The success of Urban Market demonstrates what can happen when many local entrepreneurs work together toward a shared goal, contributing to the revitalization of an entire area.
Looking ahead, Ivy and Greg remain focused on the continued growth of Urban Market 1919 and the surrounding District 1919. Their long-term vision includes the possibility of a larger market building that would allow them to welcome even more vendors, expand their offerings, and continue growing alongside the community.
Today, Ivy oversees the broader direction of Urban Market 1919 while pursuing her growing interest in municipal affairs and community development. She also serves as Vice President of Nidus Developments, a development company founded by Greg. Through her involvement in the company, Ivy enjoys gaining hands-on experience in the many aspects of property development, from planning and construction to understanding how projects can contribute to the future of St. John's.
Greg continues to lead development opportunities through Nidus Developments, with projects in St. John's and Paradise. His experience in property acquisition and development, combined with Ivy's passion for business, community, and local entrepreneurship, has helped shape the vision behind Urban Market 1919 and District 1919.
Together, Ivy and Greg believe that successful development is about more than buildings. It's about recognizing potential, creating opportunities, supporting local businesses, and investing in places where communities can thrive.
Their story is still unfolding, and they look forward to seeing Urban Market 1919 and District 1919 continue to evolve in the years ahead.
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