Public Markets as Community Anchors

For more than a century, the West Side Market has remained a pillar of the Cleveland community with more than 60 independent businesses selling fresh produce, meats and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, and ready-to-eat foods. Cleveland's public market tradition dates back to 1840, when land at the intersection of West 25th and Lorain was deeded to Ohio City with the stipulation it remain a public market.

Like others around the country–from Cincinnati’s Findlay Market to Detroit’s Eastern Market–the West Side Market plays an important role in the economic and cultural landscape of Northeast Ohio.

Mayor Justin Bibb made revitalizing West Side Market a key initiative of his administration. With plans to transition management and operations of the market to a newly created nonprofit later this year, the Bibb administration is focused on maintaining the authenticity and unique characteristics that make West Side Market a cherished institution. To do that, Mayor Bibb is working with an advisory committee and a national consultant to develop a comprehensive plan and identify the resources needed for capital improvements and operations.

Mayor Bibb will be joined by panelists from leading public markets around the country to discuss the history of their markets, their markets’ roles as community anchors, and their efforts to further community development and support small businesses.

This panel is the first in a seven-part series the West Side Market will host across Cleveland, presented with a grant from The PNC Foundation.

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The livestream will be available beginning at 12:00pm. Have questions? Tweet them at @TheCityClub or send a text to 330.541.5794.

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Photo Credit: Erik Drost

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