CLEVELAND — Twinkling lights and tables-for-two could soon fill the courtyard outside of West Side Market, a new patio being one of several pending renovations.
Rosemary Mudry has led oversight of the market’s Masterplan as the executive director of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation.
“We've also been raising money to begin construction, to transform some spaces, update some spaces, put in a lot of infrastructure that's missing so that really the market can be ready to serve customers for the next 100 years," she said.
She said the team has learned how to manage day-to-day tasks in the past year, while also prepping for the future. Now, the 113-year-old market is getting a makeover, after the Port of Cleveland approved $49.5 million for its revitalization.
The first round of renovations could start as early as May, Mudry said, and would begin at the market’s East Arcade.
“This will become the new home for the produce merchants, and one of the exciting things is we're going to again provide the infrastructure that they're lacking,” she said. “There's no heating, there's no cooling in this building right now.”
They're also revamping the market’s basement before moving on to the second phase, which includes changes inside the main hall.
“We're going to add a matching balcony that will match the balcony we're on right now,” Mudry said. “And that will actually provide some seating.”
And the establishment's infrastructure isn’t the only thing undergoing changes.
Mudry said they’re kicking off a new partnership with Central Kitchen this spring, giving a handful of small businesses a chance to work at a stand.
“We are looking to see if [there’s] maybe long-term opportunity for each of us individually, to see if this model worked for us, if the West Side Market is a good fit for our individual businesses,” said Alia Edwards, owner of MacAttack.
Edwards, Vegan Vybes owner Charene Bradley and Ego's Kitchen owner Justina Adigwe are part of the incoming class of partner vendors, joined by three other local entrepreneurs.
Adigwe said the pilot program provides a unique opportunity to connect with the outside community.
“They're very welcoming. They love to see us here,” she said. “They stop by and give compliments that, ‘Oh my God, we love you guys.’”
While also fostering connections within the industry.
“And all of the vendors here have been very supportive as well,” Bradley said. “So it's been a great experience so far.”
Don Whitaker is the President of United West Side Markets Tenants Association and owner of D.W. Whitaker Meats at West Side Market.
“I actually started working here at 13 years old, so I've been here over 40 years,” Whitaker said.
He said the market’s transformation fulfills the needs of seasoned vendors like him.
“It's exciting… It's just been a long time coming for us here, you know? So it's good to see where it's finally breaking ground now and all that,” Whitaker said.
In the coming months, Mudry said she expects the renovations’ impact will expand beyond the market itself.
“So the market already has a tremendous economic impact,” Mudry said. “But, when we complete the $68 million plan, we believe that it will have an additional half-a-billion dollar economic impact in northeast Ohio and generate close to 150 new jobs.”
