I love Central Market. I rarely missed walking to market at lunchtime on the days they were open during all those years I was Librarian/Archivist at York County Heritage Trust. Now that I'm Librarian Emerita and volunteer every Saturday, it's a given that I walk to market for lettuce, lunch and whatever else I need. If I need to go to YCHT another day to do research, I try to make it a Tuesday or Thursday so I can get in another market trip (and lunch).
It is heartening that development consultant Roger Brooks recognizes the untapped potential of Central Market. In his presentation the other evening he envisioned the market as a centerpiece of a revitalized downtown.
I certainly agree with Brooks that one thing keeping shoppers away from downtown, including Central Market, is the parking situation. Even though the produce, meats, baked goods and other items are usually fresher and cheaper than that found in supermarkets, most people just aren't going to pay 25 cents for 15 minutes at a meter or pay to park in a garage to get that good fresh food.
There are cars and trucks in the photos above and below, but in those days many of the people walked. A good many of them have baskets to carry home their purchases, and one photo shows some of the young boys with their wagons ready to help out for a tip.
Some people still can walk to market--those who live or work downtown. But it's not the 1940s anymore. What about those who aren't quite so close but still appreciate good fresh food? I'd wager that many of those people aren't aware that market parking is free on Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Philadelphia & Beaver Street garage. That's as close as most people can park to the store in those big supermarket lots. Perhaps advertising Saturday parking on big signs at the market and outside the garage would get the word out?
See you at market.
Click here for another of York's longstanding markets, Farmers Market.
Nice post on the York Market. Growing up, it was one of my favorite places and special treats to go. We'd get up horribly early and make our way there.
My favorite was the apple fritters the size of Kentucky. You just can't find an apple fritter like that anymore.
While researching the history of York Central Market a number of years ago at HT, I discovered the original Letters Patent, granting York Central Market the right to be open, issued by PA Governor Beaver folded and in the public files. If you check the "important documents" archive, it was supposed to be stored there opened and flat in order to preserve the document.
We too are excited by the potential d-town revitalization efforts and have paid close attention to Brooks' recomendations and we are working in concert with other merchants towards the goals he has outlined.
Next time you're in market on a Tue or Thur, look me up. We often pause at Take Five while there for our fresh produce, meats, and eating lunch.
Like you, my love for this venerable institution was instilled by my weekly trips with my parents and, if I was good, the prospect of a freshly baked powdered doughnut!
Eat healthy fresh locally grown meats & produce by shopping at any (hopefully ours) farmers' market. York is blessed to have three privately-owned farmers' markets, which breaks with the fact that most farmers' markets in the USA are owned by the local municiplaity.
Thanks,
Dave Yates, Pres.
York Central Market
Hey Dave,
How do we get a look at those market documents? Trying to ascertain if the George Yinger who was the general contractor on Central Market is my relative George K. Yinger. Is it possible to have a look?
advTHANKSance,
Patti
Patti--Dave is referring to the York County Heritage Trust Library/Archives at 250 East Market Street. It is open for research 9 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday. If you haven't looked at the Yinger family file, that might have the information you are looking for too.
June
Thanks, Dave--I'll do that. As you can tell, I'm a big fan. I occasionally get to the other two markets, and I plan to do blog posts on them too, but Central is just so convenient to walk to in the heart of town. I just can't understand why anyone who works downtown doesn't take advantage of picking up a tasty lunch at a reasonable price and getting their fresh York County produce and other food to take home at the same time. I've been doing that for 20 years straight.
June
Thanks Doug. So many visions of food from market are floating through my head that I can't decide which stands out in my memory. One that stands out--when my younger daughter was away at college, and then law school, and coming home for the weekend, I would pick up all the pieces of a special meal at Conrad's: white meat chicken salad, rolls, dutch-type potato salad, baked limas in sauce and pickle chips so sweet you could see through them. Hmmm, maybe I stop there on Saturday.
Thanks for this posting. As for Patti's question, I am a descendant of George Yinger and I am pretty confident that he was the general contractor for the market--I have never been to the market but it is first on my list should I be near York, PA some day. My research on it comes from one of those listings of "prominent people" that were popular in turn-of-the-century 1880's America as well as the official paperwork for the Central Market with the National Register of Historic Places--David
Thank you David. The architecture of the market, designed by the Dempwolfs, the leading area architects of the day, really adds to the experience. It would be even more special to be descendants of the contractor, as you and Patti seem to be. Hope you get here soon.