A fire devastated the historic Eastern Market on Monday, April 30. Mayor Fenty has committed the full efforts of the District Government to restoring this landmark building as quickly as possible. The outdoor portion of the market is open for business. The Fenty Administration has constructed a
temporary facility for the indoor vendors during the restoration. Vendors moved into the temporary facility, known as East Hall, in mid-August 2007, and the facility opened for business on August 25, 2007.
“The fire at Eastern Market did not just affect the surrounding neighborhood of Capitol Hill,” Mayor Fenty said. “Residents from around the city are feeling a sense of loss about this cultural and historic marketplace. There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from all quarters of the city and across the country.”
Eastern Market dates back to 1873, and is the only public market in the District of Columbia in a building constructed for that purpose.