To Market Again: Newly Renovated Eastern Market Reopens

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FOODIES AND CRAFTERS rejoice, because Eastern Market, which was damaged in April 2007 in a fire, reopens in a newly renovated space this weekend.

Built in 1873, Eastern Market is a spot to find daily produce, meat, cheese, bakery vendors and craft vendors, as well as a weekend farmers market. During the $22 million renovation, many vendors continued to set up shop outside the building, but displaced vendors are eager to move back inside during this weekend's opening celebrations.

Kim Downes of Aurora Bath and Jewels has been a vendor at Eastern Market for 15 years. She sells a variety of items, from bath products and jewelry to Capital Cherry Blossom soaps and candles. "The windows were plastic and melted in the fire, so now there are beautiful huge new windows," she said. "And the streetscape is all cobblestone. It still looks like Eastern Market, but Eastern Market with a face-lift."

This Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the new space, and Saturday will feature an opening celebration. Activities on Saturday will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there will be four musical groups playing over the course of the day, along with regular vendors, face painting and mehndi artists. The North Hall will feature an exhibit tracing the market's history and highlighting the impact of the fire and the reconstruction.

Other renovations included adding modern heating and air conditioning, new restrooms, sprinklers and access ramps. In the North Hall, there will be a movable stage and gallery walls.

Besides work on the buildings, renovations included the construction of a new streetscape in front of the market with upgrades of the roadway and roadbed, new brick sidewalks and granite curbs.

» 7th Street & North Carolina Avenue SE. (Eastern Market)

Written by Express contributor Amy Cavanaugh
Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post