Jeff visits the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Jeff grew up in Seattle and saw a time when the market was a rundown, barely visited public market. On the brink of being torn down in the 1970’s, Jeff and his parents volunteered to participate in some action to help save it. Today, every time we visit Seattle we always visit his beloved market and taste all the delicious foods and eateries the Pike Place Market has to offer.
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Radio Copy: Hi, It’s Jeff Baker – This week our Savory Road west coast trek reaches it’s northern-most terminus in my home town of Seattle. Did you know that the Pike Place Market – the birthplace of Starbucks and flying salmon – came very close to being torn down?
The waterfront market thrived during the first part of the 20th century – practicing a successful direct to consumer concept that eliminated the wholesaler and assured fair earnings for the producer. By World War 2 momentum slowed when the internment of Japanese citizens significantly depleted both vendors and customers. By the 1960s shoppers had fled to suburban malls and the market became neglected. In 1971 the Seattle City council planned to replace it with hotels and office buildings.
This inspired a local architect named Victor Steinbrueck to start a cause known as “Friends of the Market“ He recruited volunteers to gather signatures in an attempt to save this crumbling yet historically important place.
At age eleven, I volunteered – well – sort of. My parents joined Steinbrueck’s team and recruited me. I was up for it – ever intrigued with the energy and hustle and bustle of the place – I wanted it to be saved as well. It was called the “Public Market” back then and I remember always smelled like oysters fried chicken, and incense. I’d wander around and watch hippies make leather belts and hats, or fish mongers weighing out dozens of kicking crabs fresh from the sound. There were endless shops featuring magic tricks, old comic books, and movie posters. It was a wonderland, and it connected me to another time.
At around 6:00AM one summer morning. My Mom awoke me and my best friend for a day of collecting signatures. Our group met at 1st and Pike where clipboards and petition sheets were distributed. Back then, the surrounding neighborhood was run down and pretty scary. We got instructions to ask people if they were Seattle registered voters. If so, the big question followed: Will you sign this petition to save the Public Market? It seemed easy enough.
The first few people just glared at me – a skinny sixth grader with a head of unruly brown hair. An older man staggered slowly past me. “Excuse me Sir.” My squeaky voice barely registered above the street noise. “Are you a Seattle Registered Voter?” He looked at me “Are you a boy or a girl?” he stuttered. Thankfully my buddy didn’t hear that, he was across the street already scoring his first signature. My confidence was shot and I felt like crying until a pleasant younger couple approached me. “Is that the petition to save the market?” the pretty lady asked taking my clipboard. “Uh-huh” I replied, wiping my eye. I then watched my first two voters sign my petition! “Keep up the good work” she added and I felt like a new man. The morning turned out to be was productive as most of the lines on my sheet got filled in.
So, the Friends of the Market generated over 50,000 signatures, was placed on the ballot and voters saved the Seattle icon.
45 years later, it feels great to visit this place that feels like an old friend. My kids love coming here and are always up for a hot bowl of macaroni and hand made cheese from Beechers or freshly fried donuts from Daily Dozen. On our recent trip we indulged in crab and cheese sandwiches at Honest Biscuits. You can still buy a bag of hot fried gizzards from Chicken Valley and – for me – no visit is complete without a stop by Local Color for piping hot Cubano Americano. Seems like every summer someplace new and delicious pops up at the Pike Place Market, If you haven’t been there, I highly recommend a visit.
So what is going on closer to home?
On Saturday September 10th, join the Claremont Wine Walk and enjoy food vendors and live music.
Over labor day the International Food Fair is being held in the city of Orange where non=profit groups will operate over 40 food and drink booths.
And the LA county Fair starts up September 2nd, there’s always plenty of food an certainly something deep fried.
For more information, visit Savoryroad.com. Thanks for coming along – I’m Jeff Baker
