Amid the celebratory cheers of hundreds of devoted market-goers, historic Eastern Market reopened its doors for the first time since a three-alarm fire gutted the South Hall more than two years ago.
The D.C. Council, with assistance from the federal government, spent $22 million repairing the damage and installing modern amenities, such as air-conditioning and tinted windows, while still maintaining the original style of the 136-year-old market on Capitol Hill.
Mayor Adrian Fenty, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and other government representatives gave thanks at Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the widespread effort that went into salvaging this “D.C. monument.”
“Eastern Market is older and more historic than almost all of our so-called ‘historic monuments,’ ” Norton said.
She also thanked the dozens of market vendors for their “unfailing service” despite losing their market “homes” and suffering significant drops in sales.
Councilman Tommy Wells said not one vendor has left the market in the past two years.
Inside, buyers snapped photos and gushed over the new building that many called a unique “meeting place” for people throughout their diverse city.
“It smells just like it always did,” David Ehrlech said to his wife, Barbara, as they entered. The two have been coming to the market since 1970 to buy vegetables, eggs and chicken.
“Whenever people visit us, we always take them here for breakfast,” David Ehrlech said. “They say, ‘It’s so European!’ ” Barbara Ehrlech added.
Amy Curry, a regular at Eastern Market for 21 years, felt it was high time for a renovation. “It’s amazing people came here to buy food,” she said, recalling the run-down building. “Now, it’s gorgeous.”
Perhaps happiest of all were the vendors. Joanne Jung had been selling fruits and vegetables for one year when the fire hit on April 30, 2007, but she said she never considered leaving. “It’s just like a family here,” she said.
