The City Market: Then and Now

April 5, 2011: Barry Newton addressed our club on the topic of The City Market. Barry is a Charleston native, a graduate of Bishop England High School and an open air vendor for over twenty years; today he is the manager of The City Market. Mr. Newton began with a brief history of the historic entity, discussed the continuing renovations and shared the anticipated long term results.

In 1788 Charles Pinkney deeded the land for the City Market to Charleston and stipulated that is must remain a public market or be returned to the Pinkney Family. The buildings that exist today were constructed between 1804 and the 1830’s to house vendors and perpetuate the market’s vitality.

Over the last 200 years the market has operated continuously, making it one of the oldest in the country. Due to the rise of super markets, in the mid 20th century, the market became run down and unattractive. In the mid 1970’s under the leadership of Mayor Palmer Gaillard the city took on the task of revitalizing the market, noting its historic value and long term potential as a land mark for our fine city!

Today, The City Market is Charleston’s number one tourist destination, though not frequented by many locals! It consists of four structures from Meeting Street to East Bay housing over 300 outdoor vendors daily, including, of course, the Sweet Grass Basket Ladies. Most recently a group of successful business owners teamed up to “return the market’s local flair”, their mission being to regain the support of locals by adding more crafts, arts and cuisine to the area. The group has instituted strict rules for all vendors pertaining to displays, products, etc. A booth owner must obtain management approval before adding any new products or making changes. To further propagate change the committee is very selective about new vendors, moving away from any more souvenir type items. The building is now housing an art show in the evening displaying over 50 local artists at each event.

The physical renovations completed last year added lights and fans to the ceilings, re-mortared the bricks, totally refreshing the dark buildings of the past. Through out the project the city has worked hard to keep all of the operators in business, moving them from one building to the next as the work progressed. The $2.1 million in bonds that were used to renovate the properties will be repaid solely through the rents generated over the years to come, NO tax dollars were spent on this improvement. Additional enhancements include restrooms, ATM’s, and a pedestrian walk way. Vendors no longer park their vans next to the building and remain there all day instead they must unload and park elsewhere, making the market much less congested.

The three open air buildings were complete last May, work continues on the first building which will house new shops, including fine cuisine, and local tenants like Wonder Works. As a city we can all look forward to the completion of this phase in late June and enjoy the fruits of this fabulous venue for years to come!

Submitted by Elizabeth Burwell, Keyway Chairperson