The West Side Market: Traveling to and within Cleveland's diverse culture through food; a plea to support your local farmer's marketMain MenuIntroductionHistoryA brief overview of the WSMInterior and ExteriorSignificant features of the inside and outside of the WSM.What is a Market?Explains the definitions of "market" and its meaning throughout history.Local Markets and Farmer's MarketsWhat are the benefits? Why do people choose to go there? Do these places really help?My Experience with Local Farms and Farmer's MarketsThe West Side Market's ImpactWhat kind of food is at the West Side Market? Is it locally grown or produced? What is its mission?Tony the Bag ManMy MomMy mom's experience taking us to the West Side Market throughout our lives and what it means to her.Where Do We Go From Here?Recap and the next step.Mia Freer097ab676afdbedd1f694becc76e66e2c5a355215
Pearl Street Market
12018-11-30T23:46:21-08:00Mia Freer097ab676afdbedd1f694becc76e66e2c5a355215322921Image of the Pearl Street Market in the late 19th century.plain2018-11-30T23:46:21-08:00Pearl (W. 25th) Street and Lorain AvenueCleveland State Library Special CollectionsID: 2800Pearl Street Market1870-1890Mia Freer097ab676afdbedd1f694becc76e66e2c5a355215
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1media/West Side Market 1912.jpg2018-11-30T06:05:12-08:00History26A brief overview of the WSMplain8225502018-12-01T06:14:53-08:00The West Side Market opened its doors to Cleveland, Ohio on November 2, 1912. It is the oldest operating market in Cleveland to date. It has served as a core factor of the success of the immigrant population in the city, as the market is a hub for culture and diversity.
The history of the immigrant population, in terms of the West Side Market, actually begins with the Pearl Street Market. The Pearl Street Market was given built in 1868 with a specific purpose. When "two early settlers of Ohio City, Josiah Barber and Richard Lord," were giving the tract of land in 1840, they were going to issue it to the city of Cleveland under one condition... "that it always be kept as a public market site" (Lewis, 28). Needless to say, the Pearl Street Market was created, and Barber and Lord's request lives on today.
As the Pearl Street Market developed over the years and community members became more and more acquainted with its presence, there seemed to be a specific category of people that visited the market more than any other. Immigrants. They were attracted to the market because they found it as a place where they could communicate and interact with others. This is because of the diversity of the cultures that has been seen in this markets food even today. Immigrants were able to talk to the market vendors who sold, produced or made the food that was enjoyed by a variety of cultures, ethnicities, and countries (Lewis, 28). These people found solace within the walls of the Pearl Street Market just as sure as I am that many others do with the West Side Market now.
The West Side Market is located in the Ohio City area of Cleveland, Ohio. For years, this area of Cleveland had been known to be a high crime area. However, "today," in more recent years, due to gentrification efforts, "Ohio City offers visitors...a booming craft beer and dining scene with some 40 eateries" (Harpaz). The booming of the Ohio City area has caused a shift in the demographic of people who frequent this part of Cleveland. It has brought in a lot of millennials and attracted anyone who is interested in variety of cultural cuisine.
The influx of traffic in the Ohio City area has definitely aided in the popularity of the West Side Market. I think it has affected the market in a positive way because location always has an impact on its residents. Having the area surrounding the West Side Market as a hub for diversity in both culture and food, makes the Ohio City area to be almost an expansion of the West Side Market's ideals altogether.
Therefore, the West Side Market has lived up to its 2008 designation "as one of '10 Great Public Places in America' by the American Planning Association and continues to offer an authentic and culturally diverse shopping experience" (West Side Market).