Exploring Union Market -

Costumers of Union Market enjoying variety of meals and chatting next to artwork. Courtesy of Noelia Veras and Theresa Whitfield

By Thomas Holmes, Noelia Veras, and Theresa Whitfield

Union Market, just a few Metro stops away from Catholic University, is a collection of diverse and trendy food vendors all located within a refurbished warehouse. With a variety of food options at every step, it is no wonder that Union Market attracts such large groups of people to its doors.

The atmosphere of Union Market is lively and energetic, there are people constantly walking around, taking pictures, and exploring the various food options available. There are many opportunities for artsy pictures inside the market, as well as the iconic graffiti heart wall on the outside. There are also people walking their dogs and playing with their children. The overall energy of the place is constantly bustling and busy with tourists and locals alike.

“I love the ambience of the place, mainly because it was so inclusive, especially to the deaf community. I saw a lot of kids from Gallaudet signing to workers and it just really left a lasting impression on me,” said freshman Gemma Del Carmen.

Union Market is also widely known for the events that it hosts. On February 27, for instance, there will be a showing of a film to honor Black History Month at the Angelika Pop-Up theater. The events are usually done in collaboration with stores and companies in the area. A local bookstore, Politics and Prose, will host a story hour at Union Market on March 19.With a wide variety of options to choose from, customers can become overwhelmed. Some of the more popular vendors include Cucina Al Volo, an Italian pasta shop that offers homemade pasta for you to eat or take home; DC Dosa, a stand that cooks fresh, authentic Southern Indian food; and South Block which is a juice bar that serves everything from smoothies to Açaí bowls.

One of the downsides of the market is the prices. Depending on the vendor, a customer can end up spending $8-$30 on their main entree alone. Finding seating or even moving around at all without feeling cramped can be difficult because the amount of people in the building.

“My only real problem with Union Market was that I spent so much money. My small Kombucha alone was almost $4, but I’m glad I ended up going with my friends,” said freshman Kiera Kenneally.

While Union Market has a wide variety of options, and it successfully accommodates many people all at once with these options, it fall shorts in delivering an authentic experience of a new culture. Vendors cater to current trends and tastes of the city over authenticity. The vendors do not have the space or the time to give their customers a full taste of their cultures, instead they can only show a small snippet.

Overall, the experience of Union Market is what attracts people. The sheer number of options allows large groups of people to enjoy exactly what they want while spending time with their friends and family. Although there are downsides, Union Market is a quintessential experience in Washington, D.C.