The oldest continuously operating food market in the city, Eastern Market is also the center of life in our community. The devastating April 30, 2007, fire destroyed the roof and shut down operations in the entire building. The City reacted immediately to construct a temporary East Hall across from the market on 7th Street, and the market reopened in August, just three months after the fire. In the summer of 2008, the beautifully restored Eastern Market opened its doors to the public.

After the fire, the Capitol Hill community responded with typical generosity by contributing almost $500,000 to the Foundation’s Eastern Market Fund. The fund supported the merchants and employees whose lives and businesses were disrupted as well as the continuation of Eastern Market life while the historic market building was restored.

Thanks are due to all who contributed so generously to the fund and supported the Eastern Market merchants and employees in many personal ways during the difficult transition period. The result for our community and the city has been the celebrated reopening of our magnificent market and the continuation of Eastern Market as the hub of our community and a destination for visitors from all over the world.

Be sure to watch the 20-minute film by Langley Bowers which documents this moment in the history of Eastern Market.