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| Eastern Market Photo: ngolebiewski/Flickr |
The Capitol Hill market, which had been in continuous operation since it opened 1873, closed in 2007 after a devastating fire. Home to many farmers and a wide range of culinary delights that included everything from buckwheat blueberry pancakes (known in local parlance as "bluebucks") and cured meats to pumpkin ravioli and crab cakes, the market was the shining jewel in its neighborhood's crown.
While the fire that closed the market was a blow to a historical site, it also presented what some considered a long overdue opportunity for improvement.
Learn more about the opening party and $22 million renovation after the jump.
Before the fire, the market had been in a state of disrepair. Now, thanks to a $22 million renovation and rebuilding project, it has been restored to its original grandeur, complete with modern touches like a sprinkler system, plenty of restrooms and UVA-resistant windows. The architects responsible for the renovation worked carefully to ensure that it would be historically accurate, recreating period-appropriate lamp posts and even stripping away centuries of paint until they found the original color, which turned out to be salmon.
This morning's re-opening ceremony includes a ribbon-cutting by D.C.'s mayor, Adrian Fenty, and will continue into Saturday with a party featuring live music, jugglers and, of course, the food that made Eastern Market beloved by generations of D.C. residents.
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