West Side Market
Encyclopedia
The West Side Market is the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market
space in Cleveland, Ohio
. It is located at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Ohio City district. On December 18, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
.
and Richard Lord, prominent businessmen and both former mayors of Ohio City before it was incorporated into Cleveland, donated the tract of land to Ohio City's government, stipulating that the land be used for an open-air neighborhood market. The market space became a center of the Ohio City community for the following three decades, and other benefactors donated adjacent lands that allowed the marketplace to expand. In 1868, a one-story, wooden framed building was erected on the site, and the newly christened Pearl Street Market
was opened.
Thanks to brisk population growth in Cleveland and Ohio City in the latter part of the 19th century, the market outgrew its space yet again. In 1902, lands were purchased across the street from the Pearl Market site, to allow for market expansion and eventual construction of additional indoor market space. Cleveland architectural firm Hubbell and Benes was contracted to create the new indoor space and, after nearly a decade of planning and construction, the current West Side Market building was finished in 1912 at a cost of nearly $680,000. The Neo-Classical
/Byzantine
building is a brick construct with a large interior concourse that provides nearly 100 stalls
for sellers, and a 85-stall outdoor produce arcade
that wraps around the side and rear of the main building. In addition, the building has a large clock tower
, which was easily visible from most of Ohio City in the building's early days.
In 1915, the permanent building spurred sellers to establish the West Side Market Tenants' Association, a coalition founded to help maintain the market and organize for future improvements and additions. This organization still exists at the Market today.
Periodic upgrades accommodated more tenants and maintained and improved the overall conditions. A fuller , $1.1 million modernization was undertaken in 1953 to add lower-level storage areas and upgrade stalls in the arcade. Another renovation, this one for $5 million, took place after the Market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The market's profile rose in the latter portion of the 20th century. Politicians passing through Cleveland often stopped in to sample the array of foods that the Market has on sale on any given day. The Market also began sponsoring major food festivals in the neighborhood, which drew people from all corners of Cleveland and abroad. Despite the successes of the 1980s, however, the Market began to face financial straits as Cleveland itself was experiencing monetary struggles. A large portion of the Market’s subsidies from the city dried up, leaving tenants of the Market to pay higher rents to keep the Market open. Yet the Market expanded and was renovated throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century.
A 2004 project enclosed the arcade portion of the market, adding space heating there, and completed major interior and architectural renovations to the main building.
Most residents of the neighborhood, and many Clevelanders in general, still do a large portion of their shopping at the Market. The market is open to customers Mondays and Wednesdays from 7AM-4PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 7AM-6PM.
The market attracts tourists from all parts of the United States, who tour the market and learn about its history. Guided tours are offered. Its national profile has been boosted in recent years by coverage on various programs produced by the Travel Channel
and Food Network
.
Many stalls have remained under individual family control for much of the life of the Market, in a few cases dating back to its 1912 opening. The market's tenants and sellers reflect the cultural diversity of the surrounding neighborhood and Cleveland as a whole. The current roster of tenants includes those of Irish
, German
, Slovene, Italian
, Greek
, Polish
, Russian
, and Middle East
ern descents, among others.
In the September 2010 issue of Food Network Magazine, Cleveland's Westside Market was named America's "Best Food Lovers' Market."
Marketplace
A marketplace is the space, actual, virtual or metaphorical, in which a market operates. The term is also used in a trademark law context to denote the actual consumer environment, ie. the 'real world' in which products and services are provided and consumed.-Marketplaces and street markets:A...
space in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. It is located at the corner of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue in the Ohio City district. On December 18, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
History
The market began operating in 1840, across the street from its current location. Josiah BarberJosiah Barber
Josiah Barber was the first mayor of Ohio City, Ohio. He was elected in 1836.-References:...
and Richard Lord, prominent businessmen and both former mayors of Ohio City before it was incorporated into Cleveland, donated the tract of land to Ohio City's government, stipulating that the land be used for an open-air neighborhood market. The market space became a center of the Ohio City community for the following three decades, and other benefactors donated adjacent lands that allowed the marketplace to expand. In 1868, a one-story, wooden framed building was erected on the site, and the newly christened Pearl Street Market
Pearl Street Market
Pearl Street Market or the "Lower Market" was the oldest public market in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1816. The Market sat in the middle of Pearl Street between Broadway and Sycamore Streets. Famous visitors included President James Monroe and General Lafayette...
was opened.
Thanks to brisk population growth in Cleveland and Ohio City in the latter part of the 19th century, the market outgrew its space yet again. In 1902, lands were purchased across the street from the Pearl Market site, to allow for market expansion and eventual construction of additional indoor market space. Cleveland architectural firm Hubbell and Benes was contracted to create the new indoor space and, after nearly a decade of planning and construction, the current West Side Market building was finished in 1912 at a cost of nearly $680,000. The Neo-Classical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
/Byzantine
Byzantine architecture
Byzantine architecture is the architecture of the Byzantine Empire. The empire gradually emerged as a distinct artistic and cultural entity from what is today referred to as the Roman Empire after AD 330, when the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire east from Rome to...
building is a brick construct with a large interior concourse that provides nearly 100 stalls
Market stall
A market stall is a typically immobile, temporary structure erected by merchants to display and shelter their merchandise in a street market or other setting. Stalls are easily erected, taken down or simply moved on wheels...
for sellers, and a 85-stall outdoor produce arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
that wraps around the side and rear of the main building. In addition, the building has a large clock tower
Clock tower
A clock tower is a tower specifically built with one or more clock faces. Clock towers can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Some clock towers are not true clock towers having had their clock faces added to an already existing building...
, which was easily visible from most of Ohio City in the building's early days.
In 1915, the permanent building spurred sellers to establish the West Side Market Tenants' Association, a coalition founded to help maintain the market and organize for future improvements and additions. This organization still exists at the Market today.
Periodic upgrades accommodated more tenants and maintained and improved the overall conditions. A fuller , $1.1 million modernization was undertaken in 1953 to add lower-level storage areas and upgrade stalls in the arcade. Another renovation, this one for $5 million, took place after the Market was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The market's profile rose in the latter portion of the 20th century. Politicians passing through Cleveland often stopped in to sample the array of foods that the Market has on sale on any given day. The Market also began sponsoring major food festivals in the neighborhood, which drew people from all corners of Cleveland and abroad. Despite the successes of the 1980s, however, the Market began to face financial straits as Cleveland itself was experiencing monetary struggles. A large portion of the Market’s subsidies from the city dried up, leaving tenants of the Market to pay higher rents to keep the Market open. Yet the Market expanded and was renovated throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century.
A 2004 project enclosed the arcade portion of the market, adding space heating there, and completed major interior and architectural renovations to the main building.
Today
The market attracts tourists from all parts of the United States, who tour the market and learn about its history. Guided tours are offered. Its national profile has been boosted in recent years by coverage on various programs produced by the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
and Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
.
Many stalls have remained under individual family control for much of the life of the Market, in a few cases dating back to its 1912 opening. The market's tenants and sellers reflect the cultural diversity of the surrounding neighborhood and Cleveland as a whole. The current roster of tenants includes those of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, Slovene, Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
, Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
, Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
, and Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
ern descents, among others.
In the September 2010 issue of Food Network Magazine, Cleveland's Westside Market was named America's "Best Food Lovers' Market."