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Adding to the Market Mix

March 4th, 2011 by Kate McFadden · 9 Comments · Capitol Hill, Eastern Market

I received an email recently that made my wallet itch and my tummy rumble. The outdoor market at Eastern Market is accepting new vendor applications until March 31. That means there’s room for new arts & crafts vendors, farmers/growers/producers, dealers in all things antique, collectible and vintage, prepared food purveyors, as well as “Ethno-specific” imports. (That one sounds a little odd, no?)

So, if you’re a shrinky dink hobbyist getting serious, or can’t stay away from auctions and need an outlet for your buying sprees, have gotten really serious about the recent canning craze or have a habit of loading your suitcase (or container truck) with foreign must-haves, get your application in by the end of the month.

That being said, I’d love to see some new jams and jellies, vintage shoes, 80′s retro kids clothes and more artwork that has absolutely nothing to do with Washington’s landmarks. And you?

 

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  • Whoa_now

    Generally, what is the cost for the venders? I assume the have to sign up for a certain number of weeks and does it matter what they are selling?

  • C

    two things I think EM is missing:
    1. Local cheese and butter
    2. good bread (The bread at Le Pain Quo is pretty good, but I’d love to support someone local)

  • http://twitter.com/nicholeaileen Nichole Remmert

    @C – you can get local cheese (Cherry Glen among others) and butter at Bowers Dairy, if you don’t mind the gruffness of the vendors.

    Agreed re bread. I used to buy bread from the woman who sat outside of Tortilla Cafe on Saturdays, but I feel like I haven’t seen in her a while (although she could still be there; I haven’t really looked lately).

  • C

    I know, I just can’t deal with the staff at Bowers, maybe they’d be nicer if they had a little competition!

  • trulee pist

    Agree with Nichole, the Bowers Dairy staff is rough to deal with. Maybe underneath that gruff exterior beats a heart of gold. I gave up looking for it, and stopped shopping there. Glad to see this mentioned by somebody else. I thought it was just me.

  • http://twitter.com/nicholeaileen Nichole Remmert

    I will say that I have much better luck with them on weekdays, when it’s not so crowded. Also, the women behind the counter there tend to be MUCH nicer. And once I firmly told Mr. Bowers to simply, “Be nice,” he has actually been much less abrasive in our dealings. I actually think the gruffness is a bit of schtick at this point – but not one that encourages people to buy anything.

    Not at the market, but P&C Market has a great selection of cheeses and other local dairy products without the “soup nazi” esque brusqueness.

  • Mark

    I will never understand why bread, simple bread, has to be such a pain in the rear to find. Chicago, Baltimore, Philly..bread all over the place.

  • Tim Krepp

    Oh, are we talking about the surly cheese guy now? I stuck it out for years, but I gave up on him recently. If I want that much attitude, I’ll just head down the street to CVS.

  • Angie

    If you want local bread, go straight to neighborhood mom Rachel Cagle. She has a website http://www.southernbreadonline.com/Southern_Bread/Southern_Bread.html, she also takes requests and if you live close to her home near Union Station, she even delivers.

    As for the cheese guy – I have no suggestions.