subject: Something I want to Market to you [print this page] Something I want to Market to you Something I want to Market to you
The emerald city Seattle is home to the oldest market that has been operated by public farmers' market in the United States. This is one of the key areas that many people from the country and internationally visit is the Pike Place Market. The market is named after the street Pikes Place that runs from Pike Street to Virginia Street. It can be found in between the harbour and he main drag of First Avenue. Obviously this is a market where you can find several businesses run by small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. This is a market that has been established since the beginning of the last century and even at that time it had drawn 10,000 visitors but now it can easily draw up to 40,000 visitors on a Saturday during the summer months.
Before the market was created Local farmers had to sell their goods in a three square block area which was called the lots. In which most of the stuff sold there would go on to commercial wholesale house at Western Avenue, which was known as Produce Row. With the amount of time it took to run their farms they were forced to sell their produce on consignment through the wholesalers. Most farmers had to rely on a middle man as they didn't have time sell their stuff directly to the public. Most of the time they broke even and rarely made a profit, in some cases they got no money due to some of the business practices of the wholesalers.
Over time both consumers and farmers became very unhappy with the situation, Thomas P Revelle, a Seattle city councilman, lawyer and newspaper editor notice this which led to him undertaking a city ordinance that allowed the city allot tracts as public markets. The western area avenue and the commission food houses areas were converted into a wooden planked road which they called Pike Place and on August 5, 1907, through a city council ordinance vote, it was designated as a temporary market. On Saturday, August 17 1907, the acting mayor at the time Charles Hiram Burnett Jr. declared it Public Market Day and cut the ribbon. Around this time there had been a few rumours and stories of more corruption that were reported in the Seattle Times and roughly ten farmer had turned up for the market on the board walk. There were various reasons why there was a low turnout such as wholesalers going to the surrounding valleys buying out all to the produce or commission men sending death threats to farmers which scared the farmers as if the market didn't do well and they would get a lack of business from the commission men. But on the the day all the produce had sold out before noon. Since then many expansions happened and the market became more popular as time went on.
At the market you can find a lot of things to cater to your needs. One of the major features of the market is the Pike Place Fish Market, the fish is caught fresh and put instantly on ice. It is here you will see spectacular displays of fish throwing especially if you are ordering one. Fish is transported this way because fishmongers got tired of having to walk out to the market's fish table to hand out the fish, also for the fact that it is much easier too.
The market has an unofficial mascot in the form of a big bronze piggy bank. It has been at the market since 1986 under the Public Market center sign. It was named and modelled after a pig called Rachel. People from all over the world have come to visit the bronze mascot, evidence of this is that currency from other countries have been found in the pig. Any money that is put into the pig is collected by the market foundation which fund the market's social services.
Speaking of the market's social services the market is also a huge provider for low income housing. The market houses the Pike Market Medical Clinic, Pike Market Senior Centre, Downtown Food Bank Pike Market Childcare, Preschool and most importantly low income housing, those of which is supported by the Market foundation. There are roughly 500 people that live in the market and tenants are provided with special coupons which are redeemable at the market. It is also here where you will see some of the world's best buskers. OK that may have put you off but you shouldn't be put off as you will see some fantastic street performances. Maybe even world renowned songwriter Jim Page. So for those in line for their Washington State vacations and are heading to Seattle why not venture to the market early on a Saturday as you may miss some of the best stuff.
