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Articles
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| East Hall opens |
VOICE writes, "By Celeste McCall
Build it and they will come. And–hopefully–they will buy meat, fish, chicken and produce in the eagerly-awaited “East Hall,” which opened for business Saturday, August 25.
“It’s more than a place to buy peaches,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty as he cut the ribbon at the new marketplace’s entrance on Seventh Street SE. Fenty and City Administrator Dan Tangherlini greeted neighbors, community activists and South Hall merchants, who were ready to work in their new, air-conditioned digs.
“Today is a day of renewal and celebration of the spirit and vitality of Washington, DC,” said Fenty. On May 1, we stood with merchants and their families andpledged to get them back in business, and today we are here to welcome them to East Hall.” He recalled: “On the morning of the fire, a neighbor asked me: ‘Are you going to rebuild?’ I answered ‘yes,’ and the neighbor responded: ‘you’d better’.” Fenty then thanked the DC Fire Department andother city agencies for their dedication in getting the job done."
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Tangherlini, on hand with his family and King Charles spaniel Chloe, cited supportive organizations including CHAMPS, Capitol Hill Community Foundation, Capitol Hill Restoration Society (CHRS), National Capital Bank, Schneider’s Liquor, Watkins Elementary School and DC United. He also singled out Turner ConstructionCompany, which erected the steel-reinforced tent in just four months.
CHRS Second Vice President Monte Edwards presented Fenty with a replica of a plaque salvaged from the fire-gutted South Hall. The plaque had graced the original Eastern Market, built in 1805 near the Navy Yard and dedicated by Thomas Jefferson. The current red-brick market, designed by German-born architect Adolf Cluss, was built in 1873.
After the opening ceremonies, everyone surged into East Hall, which bears almost the same footprint as the original building. Merchants were displaying appealing produce, seafood, chicken and meat–beautifully arranged to entice customers. Angie and Isiah Brunson's Blue Iris shop was a sight to behold: The colorful plethora of flowers resembled an Amsterdam flower market. Angie later told us she pulled two all-nighters working on the display.
The mayor lingered at the market, purchasing fruit from various outdoor vendors. His shopping bag bulged with strawberries, bananas, fresh figs, pomegranates, dried mangoes cheese and baklava.
Yes there were glitches: Because of staffing and equipment problems, Market Lunch will not open until early September, said Tom Glascow. Hopefully, he adds, he’ll have a couple of outside tables. Meanwhile, Southern Maryland Seafood did not have running water yet and the tent’s air conditioning reportedly could not handle opening day crowds.
But everyone was happy. “This is absolutely wonderful,” declared Shirley Rosenthal, who lives near Sixth and E Streets SE. “To see the city, merchants and the community working together to keep our history and vibrancy alive.”
Said Bill Black, who lives on Independence Avenue SE: “I think it’s great; I like the green and yellow banners with the merchants’ names, and I’m happy to see the number of people here.” Added 10th Street neighbor Sarah Cochran: “I’m so glad to see our neighbors back in business...I plan to come back and shop.”
Vivian Fauntleroy, who lives in Largo, takes Metro to Eastern Market each Saturday to buy chicken from Melvin Inman (Market Poultry). “Melvin is my favorite,” agreed Louisiana-born Marie Guillory, who lives on South Carolina Avenue SE. “I buy my chicken from him but I come here for his smile...That’s what I call customer relations!” Neighbor Ellie Heath, en route to her job at Dawn Price Baby, added: “It’s exciting that this day has finally come, especially for the market vendors. I peeked in the other day and [the space] is beautiful!”
The Voice also got a sneak preview. Two days earlier, Mayor Fenty held an informal press conference and media tour of the bright, airy tent. Clad in a summer-weight beige suit, the mayor greeted the market’s South Hall merchants by name who, in turn, hugged him.
Fenty praised Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells (who was away in Minnesota) and other Capitol Hill residents. “We have shown how great this community is,” said Fenty. “The fire was April 30, and we broke ground for this temporary space May 18.” The project cost $2.6 million, with $1 million for equipment, which will be transferred to the South Hall when it reopens (in about two years) after its $25 million restoration.
Among other city officials on hand were City Administrator Dan Tangherlini and Bill Rice, customer service officer with the District’s Office of Property Management.
Long-time produce vendors Chris and Maria Calomiris were setting up near their antique NCR cash register, manufactured around the turn of the last century. “It’s older than I am,” said 82-year-old Chris. He also pointed proudly to the gleaming wooden stand, hand-built by the couple’s son Tommy. Likewise, brothers Jorge and Juan Jose Canale and their families were already hard at work, stocking their new shelves with meat and deli items.
Outside, workers were putting finishing touches on the tent. Among them was Victor Chavez and son Jose, who have toiled almost daily from 6 a.m. until midnight. They are employed by Chiramonte Construction, subcontracted by Turner Construction. Other men were moving a huge marble slab. “For slicing cheese,” Fenty quipped. Actually the massive stone is a counter salvaged from the gutted South Hall, and will be placed in the restored market.
Everyone expressed enthusiasm. “It’s an exciting space, “ said realtor Chuck Burger. “And I hope everyone on Capitol Hill will support it...this is a good time to renew our commitment to Eastern Market.”
Added Gary Peterson, head of the Capitol Hill Community Foundation’s “Keep it Going” initiative: “I think it’s absolutely incredible that the city could do this in four months...it’s nothing short of a miracle..it should have taken 18 months!”
Hill activist Ellen Oper-Weiner summed it up: “Now we can get good food again!”
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Posted on Dec 14, 2007 17:44pm.
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