Sorry for the long delay -- I'm now back in a busy-as-heck period at work, and things got a little behind. With that said...
The Express noted yesterday that business looks to be picking up a bit outside the Market -- while business is undoubtedly lower than it was this time last year, it's better than it's been over the past month, and that's good news indeed. The article really only looks at the former South Hall merchants, though; I honestly don't know whether the flea market and farmers' line vendors are seeing more customers right now.
The Post also had a Market-related article yesterday, this one about the fact that Eastern Market Pottery is still looking for space to practice their craft, and that as a result, their supplies of pottery are now starting to dwindle pretty severely.
Gary Peterson passed on another of his fabulous updates on all things Market-related this week; he mentioned that the East Hall looks good for an opening by the first of August, and that the structure itself is on schedule for delivery on July 12th and erection over the next four days. All the equipment that'll be used by the merchants inside the new East Hall has been ordered and is on schedule for delivery -- the DC government is still working out whether that equipment will end up being owned by the city or the merchants, and if we hear more about that, we'll certainly pass on the info.
Finally, the Capitol Hill Community Foundation is starting to think about ideas for having an after-hours fundraiser in the new East Hall sometime after it opens, and is looking for input from the community about whether there'd be interest in attending such a function for anywhere from $50 to $100 a person. If you have a perspective to share with CHCF, I'm sure Gary Peterson would love to hear it -- you can drop him a line at pgarylaw@aol.com.