For Immediate Release, July 2011

HISTORIC CHARLESTON CITY MARKET COMPLETES $5.5 MILLION RESTORATION AND RENOVATION

The City Market, located in the heart if downtown Charleston, is one of the nation’s oldest public markets. Established in 1804 as the primary place for locals to buy fruits, vegetables and meat, it continues to be an epicenter of commerce with offerings ranging from authentic Gullah handicrafts to award-winning barbecue.

Comprised of four distinct sheds that stretch along Market Street between East Bay and Meeting Streets, the City Market completed an intensive three-year, $5.5 million renovation in June 2011. In addition to restoring the architectural integrity of the sprawling 38,600-square foot retail venue, which houses more than 140 permanent merchants, new construction transformed the shed closest to Meeting Street into a corridor of locally-owned micro-boutiques. Dubbed the “Great Hall,” the air-conditioned shed is home to a variety of well-known Lowcountry business names including, Historic Charleston Foundation, Wonder Works, the Charleston Angler, Caviar and Bananas and Food for the Southern Soul.

“Our preservation mission is integral to the historic integrity of this city, so we are honored to be a part of the newly restored historic City Market,” said Kitty Robinson, executive director of Historic Charleston Foundation. “The Foundation is committed to sharing its mission with visitors and locals alike, and our presence in the Great Hall will be a unique opportunity to raise more awareness for our preservation initiatives while offering distinctive merchandise in the Market Shop of Historic Charleston Foundation.”

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