West Side Market facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Side Market
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View of the market from West 25th Street
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 Location in Cleveland
Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cleveland, Ohio |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Hubbell & Benes |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001423 |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1973 |
The West Side Market is a very old and busy market in Cleveland, Ohio. It's a special place where people can buy food and other things both inside and outside. You can find it in the Ohio City neighborhood, at West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue. This market is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 18, 1973. This means it's a historic landmark worth protecting!
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History of the West Side Market
The West Side Market started way back in 1840. It was first set up across the street from where it is today. Two important businessmen, Josiah Barber and Richard Lord, helped make it happen. They had both been mayors of Ohio City before it became part of Cleveland. They gave land to the city, saying it had to be used for an open-air market.
Early Days and Growth
For about 30 years, this market was a central spot for the Ohio City community. More people gave land nearby, helping the market grow even bigger. In 1868, a simple one-story wooden building was put up. This new market was called the Pearl Street Market.
Cleveland and Ohio City grew a lot in the late 1800s. Because of this, the market quickly became too small. In 1902, more land was bought across the street. This new land was for building a bigger, indoor market.
Building the Current Market
The Cleveland architecture company Hubbell and Benes was hired to design the new indoor market. After almost ten years of planning and building, the current West Side Market was finished in 1912. It cost about $680,000 to build.
The building has a mix of Neo-Classical and Byzantine styles. It's made of brick and has a huge open area inside. This area has almost 100 stalls for sellers. There's also an outdoor produce arcade with 85 stalls. This arcade wraps around the side and back of the main building. The market also has a tall clock tower that was easy to see from most of Ohio City when it was first built.
Market Improvements and Challenges
In 1915, sellers at the market created the West Side Market Tenants' Association. This group was formed to help keep the market running well and plan for future improvements. This organization is still active at the market today.
Over the years, the market had many upgrades to fit more sellers and keep things in good shape. A big update happened in 1953, costing $1.1 million. This added storage areas downstairs and improved the stalls. Another major renovation, costing $5 million, took place after the market became a historic place in 1973.
The market became more famous in the late 1900s. Important people visiting Cleveland often stopped by to try the different foods. The market also started hosting big food festivals in the neighborhood. These festivals brought people from all over Cleveland and even other parts of the world.
Even with its successes, the market faced money problems in the 1980s. Cleveland itself was having financial struggles. A lot of the money the city gave to the market stopped. This meant sellers had to pay higher rents to keep the market open. Despite this, the market continued to grow and was renovated through the 1990s and into the 21st century.
In 2004, the outdoor arcade area was enclosed and heated. There were also big updates inside the main building. The market celebrated its 100th birthday in 2012!
The West Side Market Today
Many people who live nearby and in Cleveland still do a lot of their shopping at the market. The market is open to customers on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, it's open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. And on Sundays, you can visit from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A Popular Spot for Visitors
The market also attracts tourists from all over the United States. They come to visit and learn about its long history. You can even take guided tours! The market's fame has grown thanks to shows on the Travel Channel and Food Network.
Many of the market's stalls have been run by the same families for a very long time. Some have been there since 1912! The sellers at the market show how diverse the neighborhood and Cleveland are. Today, you can find sellers with Irish, German, Slovene, Italian, Hungarian, Greek, Polish, Russian, and Middle Eastern backgrounds, among others.
In September 2010, Food Network Magazine named the West Side Market "America's Best Food Lovers' Market."
Recent Events
On January 30, 2013, the market had to close for a short time. This was because of smoke and soot damage from a fire.
In 2016, city officials announced a new change. Starting April 3 of that year, the market would be open on Sundays regularly for the first time ever!
