The Broad Street Market in Harrisburg is home to over 40 vendors that provide fun and delicious meals, fresh produce, health care products, various meats, and baked goods. To visitors and residents, the market is a gathering place to enjoy every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, tragedy struck the treasured Harrisburg focal point Monday morning, leaving the market boarded up.
On July 10, 2023, a fire ripped through a portion of the historic Broad Street Market, causing immense damage. The Fire Chief determined that a ceiling fan’s “electrical malfunction” caused the fire, reiterating its accidental nature.
The market supports many ethnicities and cultures through business, including the Amish, one community affected by Monday’s disaster. Due to the fire’s placement, Amish farmers lost equipment and product.
Some vendors were able to return this week to their booths in the undamaged part of the facility. However, some are still unsure when the market will operate at its full capacity again. In response, Mayor Wanda Williams ensures that the rebuilding of Broad Street Market will be “better than ever before.”
The Broad Street Market has been the pride of Harrisburg for over a century. The market was founded in the 1860s, allowing farmers to help feed nearby Union Soldiers. In the 1920s, the establishment peaked, gaining over 725 vendors. Historically, the Broad Street Market has been Harrisburg’s focal point and hopes to remain so for many years.