West Side Market is open again following January 30 fire

CLEVELAND - After being closed since Jan. 30 due to a fire, the doors of West Side Market reopened Monday to the public.

Customers started coming through the doors at about 6:45 a.m., all happy to support the local vendors.

Some vendors worked right up to the opening getting their stands ready for an anticipated large crowd due to Monday being Presidents Day.

"I've been at the market every day this week getting things ready," said Kate McIntyre, owner of Kate's Fish. "I think it's going to be a busy day. I think people are going to be excited to get in here and start shopping again."

Melissa Schrickel of Lakewood shops regularly at West Side Market for crepes, bread and produce. She is excited the market's doors are open once again.

Visitors will notice immediately how clean every inch of the market is.

"I can't stress enough how surprised people are going to be. It's really, really beautiful," said West Side Market Cafe manager Tom Szoradi.

"The building looks gorgeous. She's never looked better," said McIntyre.

Visitors still have an opportunity to purchase Market Bonds to save money and help vendors in the process.

When $40 in Market Bonds are purchased, customers earn $10 in free certificates to spend at West Side Market. Ohio City Incorporated stated that about 200 Market Bonds remain for purchase.

"Customers are going to have cash in their hands to spend with their vendors and the vendors are fully reimbursed for any bonds that are turned into them so that they get that cash right back to help strengthen their business and boost their sales after the market closure," said Amanda Dempsey, Ohio City Incorporated Market District director.

For more information on the Market Bond program, click here: http://wsm100.org .

Great Lakes Brewing Company is marking the reopening of the West Side Market by offering Brewpub specials on Monday, February 18 that feature items purchased from market vendors.

GLBC is also offering 10% off of your food bill if you take a picture of yourself in the West Side Market and show it to your server.

Check out http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com for more information on GLBC's West Side Market Benefit.