Missing the Eastern Market

Weekend trips to the Eastern Market, which is located just a short distance from the US Capitol Building, were one of the great pleasures of our years in Washington DC.  In existence since 1873, the  market offers indoor food stalls seven days a week and a thriving outdoor bazaar on the weekends.  A sizable flea market is across the street, and excellent brunch spots and bookstores are just steps away.

That slice of DC literally revolves around the Eastern Market. There is nothing in New York quite like it.

The building is so old that it was not required to have sprinklers.  Two weeks ago flames severely damaged much of the market, displacing many long-standing vendors.  The city plans to rebuild this hub of the Capitol Hill community, and in the meantime will find other places for vendors to work. 

From an urban planning perspective,  there is indeed opportunity in this adversity.   But the rebuilding will take 18-24 months; even if what emerges is just as impressive as what existed before, something precious has been lost.  In the transient and power-mad town of Washington DC, the Eastern Market was able to bring people together.