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The Rochester Public Market on North Union Street is one of the region's liveliest, most entertaining community gathering places, attracting tens of thousands of people every week, May through October.
Operated at this site by the City of Rochester since 1905, the market's open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays year round. And this summer, it celebrates completion of an $8.5 million renovation, including a new enclosed structure for vendors. Ribbon cutting for the renovation will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 12.
The nine-acre complex serves as a marketplace offering everything from fresh produce, poultry, and seafood to specialty foods, kitchen supplies, and wine. It's an event space for concerts, food tastings, movies, plant sales, garage sales, and Food Truck Rodeos.
The heartbeat of the market, though, are the men, women, and children who work the region's fields, orchards, and vineyards, rise early on market days, and bring the results of that labor to provide food for Rochester homes and businesses.
The people
Average number of farmers on Saturday, May-October: 45
Number of vendors of all types: 300-320
Estimated number of customers per week May-October: 25,000-40,000
Number of Public Market staff: 5.5
Estimated number of languages spoken at the Market on an average Saturday: 30 (based on a decade-old study)
Number of special events in 2017: 47 free events sponsored by the Market, plus two privately sponsored, ticketed events – Foodlink's Festival of Food and the Flour City Brewers Fest – with admission fees
Cost to rent vendor space in unenclosed sheds in September: $20 on Tuesday, $40 on Thursday, $80 on Saturday
Cost to rent space in enclosed shed: $250 to $375 per month
The Market complex
Hours of operation: Tuesday and Thursday, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, 5 a.m.-3 p.m. year round
Public Market size: 9 acres
Number of Market buildings: Six; three covered outdoor sheds, one indoor shed, the market's office building, restroom and storage building
Renovation cost: $8.5 million
Size of new indoor shed: 13,000 square feet
Public Market history
1905: First city-operated Public Market on North Union Street opened
1930 (approximately): Main, curved, outdoor A shed constructed
1963: The original covered shed, erected in 1905, demolished
1970's: Outdoor Shed C and first enclosed shed built
2016-2017: Original enclosed shed demolished and new structures built: enclosed shed, additional outdoor shed, and four repurposed shipping containers
The Rochester Public Market is a hot spot for fresh, local foods, merchandise, and independent businesses. But the market also hosts a wide array of free-admission special events, from film screenings to food trucks to live music. With about 40 separate events for from now through September, the market offers many opportunities for free, family fun. And it's the site of two big, popular ticketed events sponsored by outside groups: Flour City Brewers Fest and Foodlink's Festival of Food.
The summer's events:
– by Victoria Martinez
Food Truck Rodeos: An average of 30 food trucks, trailers, and carts; local brews from Rohrbach Brewing Company, and live music. 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27. Free shuttle from East End Garage to the market available 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fast Forward Environmental Films: Short environmental films submitted to the 2017 Fast Forward Film Festival. Friday, June 30, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Flavors of Rochester at the Market: Samplings of cuisine from Rochester's international Sister Cities. Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon, May to September.
Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables: Foodlink nutrition experts hosting live, hourly nutrition demos and samplings. Thursdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May-September.
Community Garage Sales: Dozens of garage sales, all in one place. Sundays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20, 27; September 10, 24
Bands on the Bricks: Performances by national and local groups Fridays 6 to 10 p.m. July 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11.
Gospel Jubilee: Inspirational music by local groups, organized by the Elim Sanctuary Choir. Sunday, July 30, 4 to 7 p.m.
Flour City Brewers Fest: Sampling from hundreds of craft beers from local, regional and state breweries. Cider and wine tastings, music, and food trucks. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 18.Ticketed.
Bike-in Movie: Ride your bike to the market for a bike-related outdoor movie. Friday, August 25, 7 to 10 p.m.
Artist Row: Works by more than 180 artists. Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Festival of Food: More than 100 restaurants, specialty food vendors, wineries, and breweries at Foodlink's big annual fundraiser. September 18.
Susan B. and Frederick D. Night: Screenings of documentaries, "Because of Women Like Her" and "Rediscovering Frederick Douglass." Friday, September 22, 8 to 10 p.m.