As we close out yet
another exciting year in Cleveland, I would like to take time to give a
shout out to a fantastic event that has occurred throughout 2012. Our publicly owned and now nationally famous market reached its centennial anniversary this year. It's hard to believe our
local treasure opened for business in 1912!
There were lots of celebrations including the star studded gala, a wallet friendly People's Party, and a parade. Being a regular shopper, it was fun to see everyone making a fuss over our city's best market. It finally got the national praise it deserves.
Cleveland’s West Side Market is located at the corners
of West 25th and Lorain Avenue in Ohio City, and is home to approximately
100 diverse merchants.
The West Side Market's 137 foot clock tower has stood over West 25th for virtually a century, and is one of my favorite Cleveland landmarks.
The building is a beautifully developed piece of architecture, and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Cleveland’s West Side Market is one of the last of its kind in the United States and offers locals and tourist alike a wonderful shopping experience. One can discover fresh cut flowers, seafood, vegetables, ready-to-eat foods, meat, bakeries and dairy products.
Cleveland’s West Side Market is not only an interesting place, it’s a Cleveland tradition. There are over 100 merchants at the market but the interior arrangement of the market was well planned so it's simple for customers to discover the countless merchants and products available. But half the fun is just walking around exploring. You can find the complete merchant directory here.
VERA'S BAKERY
You can locate this delicious bakery at stands F-10 and F-11. Vera's bakery offers an extensive assortment of European style breads and pastries. We love the ciabatta stuffed with peppers and onions. Try it toasted and you'll be hooked.
You can locate this delicious bakery at stands F-10 and F-11. Vera's bakery offers an extensive assortment of European style breads and pastries. We love the ciabatta stuffed with peppers and onions. Try it toasted and you'll be hooked.
CHRISTOPHER’S BAKERY
Another choice for delicious bread. Lots of crusty favorites including the Lake Erie Sourdough and 7-Grain. Stand C-10
Another choice for delicious bread. Lots of crusty favorites including the Lake Erie Sourdough and 7-Grain. Stand C-10
OHIO CITY PASTA
Another flavorful stop is located at stand E-3. Ohio City Pasta Company offers fresh pastas including gnocchi, tortellini, and over 20 unique flavors of ravioli. If you haven’t purchased the pasta here, it’s likely that you’ve eaten it at one of the fine restaurants in Cleveland that serve this amazing product.
Another flavorful stop is located at stand E-3. Ohio City Pasta Company offers fresh pastas including gnocchi, tortellini, and over 20 unique flavors of ravioli. If you haven’t purchased the pasta here, it’s likely that you’ve eaten it at one of the fine restaurants in Cleveland that serve this amazing product.
PIEROGI PALACE
What can I say, I am hooked on the place at stand E-5! These guys make a great pierogi, and we Clevelander’s know our pierogis! One side of their stand is loaded with classic potato and cheese varieties and the other is full of crazy delicious modern twists. Sloppy Joe, Thai chicken, beef and onion and chicken paprikash are some of the available fillings. They not only create an amazing variety of pierogi they also offer potato pancakes, cabbage and noodles, and giant stuffed cabbage.
What can I say, I am hooked on the place at stand E-5! These guys make a great pierogi, and we Clevelander’s know our pierogis! One side of their stand is loaded with classic potato and cheese varieties and the other is full of crazy delicious modern twists. Sloppy Joe, Thai chicken, beef and onion and chicken paprikash are some of the available fillings. They not only create an amazing variety of pierogi they also offer potato pancakes, cabbage and noodles, and giant stuffed cabbage.
LANCE'S BEEF
Where’s the beef? At Lance’s. A family owned stand that has been in business since 1988. They offer fresh Ohio farm raised beef and cut to order steaks. Stop by at stand F-9.
DOHAR MEATS
This family business was established in 1957 and is located at stands F-1 and F-2. I was fortunate enough to meet the nice couple that owns it at the Cleveland International Film Feast at Crop Bistro last year. They are as sweet as their meats are delicious. Dohar specializes in Eastern European smoked meats and their bacon and brisket are to die for.
This family business was established in 1957 and is located at stands F-1 and F-2. I was fortunate enough to meet the nice couple that owns it at the Cleveland International Film Feast at Crop Bistro last year. They are as sweet as their meats are delicious. Dohar specializes in Eastern European smoked meats and their bacon and brisket are to die for.
Laura Taxel and Marilou Suszko wrote a book about the Market in honor of it's birthday too. Check out Cleveland's West Side Market: 100 Years and Still Cooking here.
The Market is open for business from 7:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. on Monday and Wednesday, and from 7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday. If you've always wanted to go but never made it, what are you waiting for? Visit Ohio City and let’s celebrate another 100 years of a Cleveland tradition.