The Best Weekly Markets in the Southeast

Mar 9, 2016 • Mike Field

Article by Michael Field

RALEIGH DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET - RALEIGH, NC

Held weekly between May and September, the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market is a bustling attraction that brings thousands of people into the heart of Raleigh to shop from local farmers and artisans.

Photo Credit: Downtown Raleigh Alliance

Fayetteville Street has served as the main thoroughfare in downtown Raleigh since the early 20th century. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the urban retail landscape fell into a nationwide decline as consumers shifted most of their spending preferences towards suburban malls. A popular response towards reversing this trend was to construct urban, pedestrian malls, closing off once bustling streets to vehicular traffic all together. These well-intentioned attempts ultimately did not bear fruit, and Fayetteville Street was one such casualty, being closed off to vehicular traffic in 1977.

The failed pedestrian mall along Fayetteville Street. Photo Credit: North Carolina State University

Starting in 2000, city officials began the process of undertaking a more holistic approach to downtown revitalization, and the restoration of Fayetteville Street was the linchpin in this plan. In 2006, vehicular traffic would return along a newly redesigned Fayetteville Street. In 2008, the Raleigh Convention Center was opened near the 500 block of Fayetteville Street, and in 2009, City Plaza would open along the 400 block of Fayetteville Street, nestled between Raleigh’s most prominent downtown office towers. Costing $15 million to construct, City Plaza was designed to serve as downtown’s public living room and features public art, retail pavilions, water fountains, and 50-foot tall light towers.

City Plaza. Photo Credit: Jon Scarborough

In 2006, the Moore Square Farmers Market began in earnest to sell produce from local farmers to downtown workers. When City Plaza opened, the market was relocated and reborn as the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market with an expanded vendor lineup and financial and administrative support to ensure the sustainability of the weekly market.

Photo Credit: Downtown Raleigh Alliance

Downtown Raleigh Alliance, a non-profit organization funded primarily by assessments levied under the downtown business improvement district, has operated the market since 2010. The DRA exists to provide marketing support, administration for clean and safety programs, retail recruitment, and special events to draw people to downtown. In addition to the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market, DRA produces the Downtown Raleigh Movie Series and the Raleigh Winterfest.

Photo Credit: Downtown Raleigh Alliance

According to DRA special events coordinator Jean Carroll, roughly 3,000 people visit the market each week to shop among the approximately 35 participating vendors. Since DRA took over operations, one of the most popular new features has been the inclusion of six hot food vendors that serve lunch at the market. This has proven popular among downtown workers who are looking for an expanded variety of food options, providing a mid-week break from the brick and mortar restaurants that operate permanently within and surrounding City Plaza.

Photo Credit: Downtown Raleigh Alliance