The Historic Union Market Then and Now: How It Became A Hub For Black Innovation
Everything will change. The only question is growing or decaying.
– Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni, poet and activist, said it clearly, “Everything will change. The only question is growing or decaying.” This quote is especially powerful when framed in the context of how Union Market started as a farmer’s market for a very segregated D.C. to growing into a hub for Black innovation in the city today. From #divinecomfortfood to culture-focused creative agencies, Union Market is seen as a focal point for Black initiatives, with 32% of the businesses it houses being minority-owned. Like Rome, Union Market’s goal of building a more inclusive and robust base of minority-owned businesses hasn’t been accomplished in one day. It’s been a slow and steady process that has been a boon for Northeast, D.C.
Inclusive prosperity is the idea that the opportunity and benefits of economic growth should be widely shared by all segments of society.
-Jodie W. McLean
One of the things that makes Union Market so unique is the fact that it intentionally celebrates cultural diversity. Jodie W. McLean, CEO of Edens, the developer responsible for revitalizing the market, explains, “Inclusive prosperity is the idea that the opportunity and benefits of economic growth should be widely shared by all segments of society.”
Here’s how Union Market got there, the real tea:
1862 — The D.C. Emancipation Act is signed into law, granting the immediate emancipation of slaves.
1871 — Centre Market opens to the public, becoming the center of commercial life in D.C. between the White House and the Capitol Building.
1931 — After Centre Market is torn down to make way for the National Archives, many businesses relocate to a new venue, Union Terminal Market. Union Terminal Market opens to the public and starts a large farmer’s market where vendors sell meats, fish, dairy and produce six days a week. Eventually, Union Terminal Market drops the “terminal” in its name to become Union Market.
1962 — The District bans the outdoor sale of meats and eggs essentially killing the farmer’s market’s foot traffic.
1967 — The market develops an indoor venue.
1968 — Riots break out across the city after Martin Luther King is assassinated, heavily affecting Northeast D.C. where Union Market resides.
1989 — Wholesales, companies that sell goods in large quantities for low prices, grow the area throughout the 1980’s, but when spaces began to show wear and tear, many of the original merchants leave.
2011 — Fires destroy several buildings and businesses around the market.
2012 — The revitalization of Union Market is in full swing as Edens reopens and reestablishes the market as an eclectic destination in D.C.
2020 — Union Market is currently experiencing tremendous growth. DCRA is responsible for approving building plans, permits, and licenses so the area can continue to grow. Check out what’s to come next in the area.
Over the past five years, Union Market has brought in over 2.75 million visitors each year and created 1,200 jobs. Restating the Nikki Giovanni quote, Union Market had either two ways to change: grow or decay. Looking at how the market empowers minority and Black-owned businesses throughout the community, it’s clear that Union Market is economically growing the neighborhood around it.
Check out these booming Black-owned businesses located at Union market:
Think oyster bar with a smooth lounge-like feel. Low lights, cozy, over 300 whiskeys — all while you’re knocking a few oysters back.
If you spot the food truck out in the wild, don’t walk just run. Describing this as #divinecomfortfood is an understatement.
This marketing agency is where trends come to get ideas.
The concept: brainfood. The outcome: open mics, discussions, think tanks and COFFEE.
A simple but powerful reassurance to our black boys and men that even though it feels like they are being murdered and destroyed constantly, they are still a part of a larger community that loves and supports us.
If you’re interested in starting your own small business in DC, the Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at DCRA is available for registering a company, and applying for or renewing your Basic Business License (BBL).
