Eastern Market to reopen this weekend
Fresh Flowers Photo Courtesy East King Street Improvement District Lancaster Intelligencer Journal
May 30, 2008
It's the place where Ethiopian cuisine meets Lancaster County produce and where hot, fresh roasted coffee meets Italian ice.
It's where artists and growers come together in a festive block-party atmosphere each Saturday during the summer in a little melting pot of commerce and cultures.
It's Lancaster's Eastern Market, and it will open its third season Saturday at 308 E. King St. with music, fun and even a birthday party. Saturday's market will be open an extra hour, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; regular hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Opening day also will feature City Arts Market, a collection of Lancaster and local arts and crafts vendors, inside the market house.
Photo Courtesy East King Street Improvement District "Each year seems to get better and better," Jessica King, market manager and East King Improvement District economic coordinator, said Thursday. "Saturday should be a great day and a great kickoff for the entire season."
Eastern Market is a joint effort of EKID and Tabor Community Services.
King said several new vendors will join the market's eclectic and ethnic mix this year including Crystal Springs Farm, produce; Spring Knoll Farm, cut flowers; and Korleen Calkins, plants.
Also new this season will be the market's Wednesday hours. From 4 to 7 p.m. each week, produce and prepared foods will be available beginning June 4.
Photo Courtesy East King Street Improvement District "Our vendors wanted to do more," EKID director Melody Keim said. "We're hoping to catch people as they're heading home from work at the end of the day - they can grab something quick. We're excited and curious to see how it goes."
King said 250 to 300 people visit the market each Saturday, and this year they're hoping to see a 25 percent increase in shoppers.
"We have a unique mix of vendors, and I think that's appealing to a lot of people," King said. "When you add in some music, it really turns into a party atmosphere. It's a great Saturday activity for the whole family."
Other events Saturday include face painting for kids and music by local singers/songwriters Bill McConney, Chris Haus and Kris Margiotta. DJ T-Minus will spin some old-school vinyl.
A birthday party, complete with cake and singing, will be held at 1 p.m. for the market building, which is celebrating its 125th year.
Five public market houses once operated in the city. Eastern Market, built in 1883, was the first to close in 1918.
Since the market's rebirth in 2006, EKID has worked to bring the entire market area back to life.
Earlier this year, EKID announced plans to construct a plaza at East King and South Shippen streets that would enhance the area around the market with green space and pedestrian walkways.
Keim said the group is still awaiting approval of a $300,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, the last piece of funding needed before construction can get underway. Funds from the grant also would go toward renovating the market house, which doubles as Tabor's headquarters.
