History of Market Hall at City Market
Market Hall is the cornerstone of City Market, an historic marketplace covering two city blocks in the heart of the Moore Square District in Downtown Raleigh. Here are some of the highlights of how this gorgeous marketplace has served the city and contributed to its rich cultural growth over the last 100 years.
Raleigh’s First Farmers' Market
1914
Market Hall was purchased by Contractor Jesse G. Adams, who hired Architect James Matthew Kennedy to create a Spanish Mission style landmark to host the city’s first Farmers' Market. It was the first integrated market that brought together shoppers from Historic Black Main Street
Hargett Street), city center and surrounding counties.
For over 40 years afterward, farmers from Eastern North Carolina would come by truck or horse-drawn buggy to set up shop along the cobblestone streets under the eaves of the building. They sold local vegetables, flowers, seafood and baked goods. Moore Square was a gathering place for picnics and visiting with family and friends to enjoy the local fare.
During this time the market also featured the city’s first refrigeration system, a modern marvel that changed the food industry forever. In the white building behind Market Hall there was a blacksmith shop and horse stables to repair wagon wheels and horse shoes. From the Cobblestone Streets to Moore Square, Locals referred to this area as The Grove.
This is the name of our new venue now located at 208 Wolfe Street next to Big Ed's Restaurant.
Today, Market Hall sources local produce and features an American Southern menu to honor our history of supporting the local farming community of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
Furniture Store
1959
The NC State Fairgrounds opened in the early 1950s, and toward the end of the decade, supermarkets had become common. The need for a large farmers' market dwindled, and the City Council voted to close City Market in 1957. By 1959, it was purchased and repurposed to sell furniture.
Greenshields Brewery
1989
Gary Greenshields leased the building in 1989 as North Carolina’s second brewery and one of the first 50 Craft Breweries in the United States.
Gary was active in changing state legislature to increase brewing capacity for distribution. He loved touring the brewery to curious patrons and showing them his high quality processing of his beloved beers.
Greenshields began bottling and distributing their high quality craft beers, including pilsners, brown ales, stouts, and hefeweizen, and across North Carolina in 1995.
The brewery eventually featured 3 dining rooms, a smoking lounge, beer garden and outdoor patio seating with regular live music and events. We often hear stories from our wedding couples' parents who used to frequent Greenshields as a favorite downtown spot!
While Greenshields no longer distributes, Market Hall honors its tradition by featuring local North Carolina craft beers on our menu and hosting regular community events to showcase local breweries and distilleries.
1990’s
During the 1990’s, the Hakans family purchased City Market from the City of Raleigh. Under their direction City Market has thrived into a bustling marketplace that features modern retail shopping, restaurants and our beloved event venue.
Event Venue Opens
2009
Originally established as Cobblestone Hall, the Hakans reinvented City Market again to host weddings, corporate events, festivals, community galas, fundraisers and social events.
Market Hall & 214 Martin Street
2015
Expansion continued in 2015 with the development of 214 Martin Street as a separate venue concept, and in-house catering on the Moore Square side of the building, which was renamed Market Hall.
Park View & Market View at Market Hall
2018
Market Hall was rebranded in 2018 to Market View and Park View with new management, exclusive in-house catering and the exciting expectation of a newly renovated Moore Square! We refocused on food and community with our mission to produce unforgettable full service events with a farm-fresh American Southern style cuisine and bar menu.
Moore Square Renovation
2019
Moore Square re-opened August 3rd, 2019 after almost 2 years of renovations. The square is now home to Square Burger restaurant, a treehouse, interactive water feature and large landscaped lawns that feature family-friendly activities and community events. It is located right out our front door, giving our guests access to enjoy a stroll under the oak trees and to take photos in a gorgeous natural backdrop right here in the middle of the city!