It was founded in the 1970s by brothers Kristian and Solveig Graaten, Norwegian immigrants. Initially, it started as a small fruit and vegetable market, but over time it expanded to include a much larger variety of products and services.
The idea of putting goats on the roof was conceived as a strategy to attract more visitors and has remained a distinctive feature ever since. This quirk has helped make the Old Country Market one of Vancouver Island's best-known attractions.