This past Saturday, Union Market, an artisanal bazaar housed in an industrial warehouse, opened up its doors for the first time since 1989. Located on 1309 5th Street near Gallaudet University, Union Market has a long history of serving as a farmer’s market that has catered to its customers by providing the finest local ingredients served by exceptional local artisans.
The market traces its history back to 1871 when Centre Market opened up, eventually becoming the premiere market for the city of Washington. Later on, Centre Market was torn down to make room for the National Archives building, and subsequently moved several times over the course of the next two centuries before being established where it is today.
With offerings ranging from Amish products to Ethiopian cuisine, Union Market presents its customers with a truly diverse mix, helping to revitalize the market scene in Washington in the process of providing what the Union Market website dubs “one stop marketing.” With 40 local artisans featured, Union Market is truly a “culinary epicenter,” fulfilling its vision as stated on the website of becoming “a true gathering place that serves as an inviting melting pot of old world heritage and new world opportunities.”
Vendors are as eager as customers. In an interview with the Voice, Anthony Marchetti of Rappahannock River Oyster Co. said he is “excited to offer fresh local products. We all are artisans and farmers and it’s great to be around people that are passionate about their craft.”
Providing its services to a large group of local vendors, Union Market presents the opportunity for many to sell their products in a much more inviting and amicable atmosphere than has previously existed in the D.C. cuisine scene.
Anna and Shawn Leis, D.C. Empanadas founders, expressed this sentiment when describing their delight at the opportunity to sell their flavorful empanadas at Union Market. “All the people there are people that I’d love to shop from,” Theis said. “The quality of items sold there is phenomenal.”
Deepa Patke, of Aromatic Spice Blends, echoed this outlook, “Union Market is a wonderful place” with “loads of potential,” she attested.
Union Market is open Fridays 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
