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Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, photo by Michael Rivera.

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about City Market, Savannah

As the oldest city in the state of Georgia, Savannah has a rich history of interesting and beautiful well-manicured parks and historical architecture; among them is the Savannah City Market. The market is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations and has long been described as the heart of the city.

The City Market is a historic market complex in the District of Savannah, Georgia, established in the 1700s with a wooden building and locals gathered to sell their groceries and services. It was at first centred on the site of today’s Ellis Square from 1733 but it currently stretches west from Ellis Square to Franklin Square.

The City government approved the demolition of the Old City Market in 1954 which disappointed a lot of locals leading to the formation of Savannah’s preservation movement. It followed that a multi-deck parking garage was built on top Ellis Square. Here are top 10 Remarkable Facts about City Market, Savannah.

1.The original market was founded in 1733

City Market, Savannah, photo by Wilson, J. N.

The original city market was founded in 1733 consisting of only three buildings. It stretched from Barnard Street to Jefferson Street on St. Julian Street the current Ellis Square. Residents and tourists would shop for groceries, services and other goods at the city market.

By 1755, it was packed with a lot of fishermen and farmers who wanted to sell their goods to the locals. It was also where the horse drawn carriages would drop off all the residents for formal and non-formal gatherings. Today, visitors and locals congregate to City Market for popular restaurants, creative art spaces, live performances and other activities.

2.Live performances in City Market, Savannah

At first, City Market was specifically where residents went to shop for groceries, services and other goods. Farmers and fishermen would flock to sell their products and goods to residents and locals. However, today the city market hosts live performances by local street musicians or by renowned concert bands.

Savannah city market is more than just a place of produce but visitors and locals are free to explore popular restaurants with amazing bites, creative art spaces, live performances, unique shopping options and fun filled festivities.

3.The demolition of the old city market

The City government approved the demolition of the Old City Market in 1954; instead a parking garage was built at Ellis Square. The newly built parking garage was moved underground with the aim of restoring and transforming the area into a public space for fun and entertainment.

The demolition frustrated many locals leading to the formation of Savannah preservation movement. The current Savannah City Market is even more charming, bustling than the old city market. It has a history-rich environment for locals and tourists to enjoy amazing bites, creative art spaces, shop and enjoy live music.

4.The new City Market was built with the decaying remains of the Old City Market

When the old city market was demolished in 1954, locals were quite upset and disappointed. Eventually, a new City Market district was constructed with the decaying remains of the Old City Market.

In addition, when the garage’s lease expired in 2004, the city began plans to restore Ellis Square. The old parking garage was demolished in 2006 to make way for a new public square that features open spaces for public concerts, as well as an underground parking garage on Whitaker Street.

5.The Art Center at City Market

City Market was first established as a destination for entertainment, dining, and retailing in downtown Savannah, which led to the establishment of Art Centre. Its purpose is to create an anchor attraction that would attract both tourists and Savannah residents. It was facilitated after he developer emulated its successful Torpedo Factory project in Alexandria, Virginia.

It consists of working studios for artists that occupies approximately 19,000 square feet of space. In addition, City Market has three apartments and approximately 11,000 square feet of office space. The Art centre has also created an opportunity for other tenants of City Market to put up and their businesses.

6.Savannah City Market is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations

Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, photo by Michael Rivera.

In the beginning, City Market was where residents went to shop for groceries, services and other goods. Today, Savannah visitors and locals flock to City Market for popular restaurants, creative art spaces and live performances. It also offers amazing night life experiences for both visitors and locals.

7.The thriving nightlife in the City Market

Photo by No Revisions on

The highlight of the city market is the live music and performances from local artists and renowned concert bands. Other activities include late night games of pool, and all kinds of cocktails from the Bar, founded in 1993. The bar has affordably priced drinks, pool tables and a dance floor.

8.City Market popular restaurants

Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar, one of City Market’s restaurants, photo by DXR. Wikimedia commons

City Market is filled with uniquely wonderful restaurants that locals and visitors can grab a bite from seafood to hot wings and pizza. Among the restaurants is an award-winning steak-and-seafood house. City Market has plenty of dining options that draw both locals and tourists.

9.Ellis Square parking garage controversy

After the city signed a 50-year lease with the Savannah Merchants Cooperative Parking Association, the association was permitted to demolish the existing structure and construct a parking garage to serve the City Market retail project.

The newly built parking garage was moved underground with the aim of restoring and transforming the area into a public space for fun and entertainment. The demolition of City Market caused so much anger and frustration of the locals which led to the formation of the historic preservation movement in Savannah.

10.The outer structure of the city market building influenced the design of various stores

The side of the building, photo by Elisa.rolle.

The outer structure of the Savannah city market building is known for having influenced the design of the Kroger grocery store on Gwinnett Street and the Publix grocery store in the Twelve Oaks shopping centre on Abercorn Street.

Savannah City Market has long been described as the heart of the city, and a place where residents go to buy and sell groceries, meat and other goods. Savannah visitors and locals also congregate to City Market for popular restaurants, creative art spaces and live performances.

Despite the few changes made over the years due to various reasons, such as fires and wear and tear, the area remains packed full of rich history and charm with amazing surroundings such as the John Montmollin Building, a former slave market, located behind City Market on the right. It attracts many tourists and residents especially with the moving of the newly built parking garage that transformed the area into a public space for fun and entertainment.