The Union Street Market at Electric Works
By Tabitha Ervin
Editorial Director
I was able to tour The Union Street Market at Electric Works along with other media last week for my first look at the progress. Slated to open in November sometime, the project is on schedule and progressing very well.
Hard hats and safety vests were required on site as we walked through The Forum, Dynamo Alley and the East and West Hall which will house 25 vendors, 18 of the spots filled to date.
The following businesses are already committed:
Conjure Coffee, Brooks BBQ & Chicken, Johnny OX Pizzeria, Pikoso Burritos, Neon Carrot (vegan food), Local Apple Cart, The Charlie Horse Bar, Lunar Infusions (Kamboocha) and Kekionga Craft Company in the West Hall.
B&B Meat Market, B&B Seafood Market, The Kitchen & Co, Grabill Amish Bakery, Grabill Amish Deli, Bragg-A-Lot Sweets & Drinks, Bee Great (honey), and Herculean Meal Prep in the East Hall.
Ted Spitzer, the Director of Planning and Development, led the group tour and answered lots of questions. Both the East and West halls have been modeled after The Garage at Bottle Works in Indy as well as other food allies in bigger cities that have become quite popular for the variety, open spaces and walkability.
Of the 18 businesses committed, half are women owned and over a quarter are minority owned. Most are local small businesses who are getting their first opportunity to have a storefront operation. Ted also shared these are some of the oldest buildings on the property that are being fully restored. There will be tables and chairs throughout both halls and spaces to sit outdoors as well. The market occupies about 37,000 sq feet on the campus.
In addition, an area above the West Hall will be available to rent and host a variety of events including birthdays, holiday parties and more! There is a demo kitchen where cooking classes will be hosted along with a variety of other activities including educational programming. This will be used by merchants in the market and open to the public.
The entire facility is family friendly, accessible and attractive. It will be welcoming and full of healthy local affordable food and drinks for all.
Coming at the end of November, an Artisan Market will be held each of the 4 weekends. And next year the Fort Wayne Farmers Market will be held in Dynamo Ally.
Kim Silliman, Senior Experience Director, shared that there will be a robust website for the Market including a way to order food and items for pick up at the market.
The parking garage is nearing completion as well and will have 1200 spaces and 100 of those spaces for free parking for those visiting the market. People will be able to walk from the garage, under the railroad tracks through a tunnel to the market.
Lastly, we were able to meet DeZyre Bragg of Bragg-A-Lot Sweets & Drinks and see her space in the East Hall. Her shop is a dessert shop, not a bakery and will include a variety of unique and different options for traditional esserts like cookies, cheesecake, banana pudding and more! It has been a dream of hers to have her own space and she is excited to open in the Union Street Market! “This is huge for Fort Wayne and I and proud to be part of it. I look forward to serving the community and spending time here with my children”, said Bragg.
Ted shared lastly that being landlords to a variety of businesses and giving them this opportunity by absorbing some of the major costs such as exhaust hoods, walk-in refrigerators, sinks, lighting, food grade appropriate walls and ceilings make it very affordable for these small businesses to get started in the market.
There is also the Electric Works Public Market Trust which is established as a nonprofit to monitor the market and its mission to support small businesses. The nonprofit is in place to support and inform the community so that they are upholding the obligation to the community.
