Imagine Seattle in the early 1900s. Farmers struggle against wholesale houses. Now picture Pike Place Market. It is born from this struggle.
Pike Place Market opened August 17, 1907. It is one of the oldest continuously running farmers’ markets in the U.S. The market overlooks Elliott Bay on Puget Sound. Small farmers merchants and craftspeople do business here. Pike Place Market is named for Pike Place. This central street runs northwest from Pike Street to Virginia Street.
Before Pike Place Market, farmers sold goods at Sixth Avenue and King Street. Most produce went to wholesale houses on Western Avenue. These middlemen often cheated farmers. Thomas P. Revelle then stepped in. He designated Pike Place as a public market.
On opening day only ten farmers showed up. Wholesale houses had bought much of the produce beforehand. They also threatened farmers. Despite this hundreds of customers arrived. The farmers sold out quickly.
Frank Goodwin sensed opportunity. He owned land around Pike Place. Goodwin began advertising plots for sale. The Main Arcade opened November 30, 1907.
By 1911 Pike Place Market had doubled in size. Stalls extended north from Pike Street to Stewart Street. The west side became the “dry row”. In 1916 the Goodwins bought a lease on the Bartell Building. It became the Economy Market.
Many Japanese-American farmers sold at Pike Place Market in 1941. After Pearl Harbor they were forced into internment camps.
In 1963 there was a plan to demolish Pike Place Market. It would be replaced with Pike Plaza. The community opposed this. In 1971 an initiative created a historic preservation zone. The Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority then took over.
Today Pike Place Market thrives. Over 10 million people visit each year. It is Seattle’s most popular tourist spot. Pike Place Market is the 33rd most visited attraction in the world.
Pike Place Market has levels below the main one. These feature unique shops. There are antique dealers comic book stores and family restaurants. The upper level has fishmongers produce stands and craft stalls. Farmers and craftspeople rent tables daily. They follow the market’s mission to “Meet the Producer”.
Nearly 500 residents live in Pike Place Market. Many apartments are low-income housing. The Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority runs the market.
Pike Place Market is more than produce. You can see the flying fish. Listen to live jazz. Watch improv shows. Admire trapeze artists. There are 85 local farmers. Also there are 225 local artists. Finally there are 240 small businesses.
Don’t forget the Gum Wall. It is in Post Alley. People stick chewed gum on it. In 2015 workers removed 2350 pounds of gum. Visitors quickly rebuilt the wall.
The Pike Place Market is home to Rachel the Pig. It is a bronze piggy bank. Rachel collects $6000-$9000 yearly. This money funds the market’s social services.
Pike Place Market is a treasure. It is historic charming and weird. It is a symbol of Seattle’s spirit.