Can we erect a circus tent at the square above Eastern Market Metro to house the merchants until the market is rebuilt?

I have real concerns about what is going to happen next at the market. Fifteen years ago I was covering the preservation and development debate for that place for the Hill Rag.
There are many people and powers who are going to want to "bring it up to code" in ways that strip the market of its visual appeal and unique character. I fear we may be in for a big, long, divisive fight on what the market will look like, who will pay for it, who will decide, what preservation rules will want and what building codes will demand.
Count me in on a citizen's steering committee if one is formed, and I am working on a fundraising scheme that I hope can yield big money to help the vendors and do the restoration correctly.
please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you'd like to help with a private fundraising effort. I wax eloquent to everyone who will listen on why I love where I live. Eastern Market is first through tenth on the list.
Thanks,
pam

Tommy, this is devastating. I hope you'll continue to let your constituents know what they can do for the vendors and what we can do to help you in your efforts to get the city to start to rebuild. I have seen some posts about closing off seventh street this weekend or on weekends following. I think it is a great idea. The street provides little use as a traffic thoroughfare and would provide a terrific gathering place for vendors and the community. As others have said, Lisa and I will be a part of any effort to plan events to raise money for the rebuild.

I grew up on the hill and worked at eastern market in the gallery and with the vendors. It is a magical and special place. I always visit when I am visiting DC from Boston. Please help the merchants survive this terrible ordeal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all.

I live in the 600 block of C Street SE and can see the south end of Eastern Market from my front door. While I was heartsick to see all the damage caused by the fire early this morning, I'm thankful that no one was injured and that efforts have already begun to help displaced vendors and to plan for restoration of the building. As soon as I finish this message I'll contribute to the "Eastern Market: Keeping It Going" fund. What else can I do to help?

Like everyone else, I too was devastated when I walked by what is left of what used to be the center of the Capitol Hill Community. I agree that residents should push for a temporary location for the vendors so that the community can show its support by continuing to purchase Eastern Market goods. I also have two other concerns. First, I hope the rebuild will be quick (unlike the amount of time it took to do the outside area). Second, I hope the city finds out how this happened in order to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Like everyone else in the neighborhood, I was very upset when I learned of the fire at Eastern Market. I applaud all efforts to rebuild the market quickly, but both the vendors and Hill residents need a temporary solution to cover the intervening months. Perhaps refrigerated trucks and/or tents on 7th street, which would require a special power source, but seems doable.

I'll make my contribution to the fund, but I also hope I can continue to do commerce with all the find vendors of the market whom I've come to depend on for much of my grocery shopping over the years.

I am saddened of course, and probably won't really feel the full impact until this weekend. But I feel strongly that the DC government should use this tragedy as an opportunity to bring some changes to the Market's governance. A friend who sells at the Dupont Circle farmer's market tells me that there were efforts some years ago to set up a true, local, fresh-food farmer's market near Eastern Market, not even necessarily on the weekend, but that the merchants indoors blocked it. I do not think the public should be subsizing a private monopoly. If we are going to ante up, then we need more of a say in the governance of the institution.

I generally avoid Eastern Market on the weekends because of the large crowds and the difficulty of navigating a double stroller between the packed tables. Instead, Henry and Lucy and I make a special trip to the Market each Friday to pick up challah to celebrate the Sabbath; we buy apples, cookies, sliced muenster, and the ingredients for whatever’s on the menu that evening. But this past Sunday, as I attempted to hurry them past the corner of 7th and North Carolina, Henry started begging for some fruit. I looked at my watch and quickly calculated how much time this side trip would cost us, but in the end, couldn’t resist such a plaintive request. Henry and Lucy took their time meandering down the sidewalk, stopping to look at brightly colored beads, purses, soap, and candles. It was already past five o’clock, so most of the fruit and vegetable vendors had packed up, but we managed to find some snacks at the last table. I looked back toward North Carolina and that one block seemed to be two miles long. But when I turned around and saw the happy face of my son as he clutched a fistful of grapes and walked slowly behind me, enjoying every bite, I was suddenly reminded that the journey is just as important as reaching the destination. I am so glad that we had that special moment with the Market yesterday.

My grandfather used to sell Christmas trees outside of Eastern Market, for years and years- until they told him he couldn't lean the trees against the wall. Then he called it quits. I remember when we were little, Pop would let my brother sell holly, and one of our neighbors would send the best tuna fish sandwiches ever for lunch. My brother was an excellent holly salesman (who could resist those big blue eyes?) We'd use the proceeds to buy scallops and half-smokes inside to take home to mom for a special Christmas dinner. I hope the restorations go well, and my thoughts and prayers are with those vendors who have such losses. Best of everything, hope you're back up and running soon!