A Guide to SoWa Open Market
When I say “SoWa,” there are two types of responses.
One group says, “Huh? So whaaat?”
Another group says, “OMG, what’s your favorite food tuck?”
I used to be in the former group, but now that I’m in the latter, I would like to educate those in the former on the greatness that isSoWa Open Market.
Let’s start with the name. SoWa stands for South of Washington, referring to the area in the South End that is, well, south of Washington Street. I guess Boston is trying to be like New York’s SoHo. Valid attempt. According to Wikipedia, the area spans “east to west, from Mass. Ave to East Berkeley Street and north to south, from Washington Street to Albany Street, centered on the SoWa Building, at 450 Harrison Avenue.”
The market actually consists of three parts. First is the farmers’ market, which features much more than fresh produce. Take a walk through this side of the market and you’ll find everything from fresh herbs to bread bakeries, gluten-free marshmallows, gourmet potato chips, beef jerky, coffee and more. The vendors are proud of their work, which, for you, means free samples! The vendors love sharing their experiences, and often have some cool background stories to share, so while chowing down on their goods, be sure to ask questions; I guarantee you’ll learn something.
Next, venture over to the food trucks. On any given Sunday, there are about 10 mobile eateries parked at SoWa, dishing out lobster rolls, fried cauliflower, ice cream sandwiches, grilled cheese and more. Their enthusiasm is contagious, especially considering how hot it must get inside those little trucks with ovens running at full steam. They always take your orders with a smile on their face, and you know they love what they do.
The food trucks surround the artisan booths, featuring a range of local artists and crafters. These talented folks bring you everything from jewelry to stuffed animals, art work to t-shirts. Prices vary, so you can buy yo’ mama a nice necklace for her birthday or grab your roomie a $15 t-shirt with a dinosaur on it just for kicks. There’s even a food truck for clothes.
Need to cool off? Head inside to the Vintage Market. While it doesn’t have AC, there are giant fans stationed around the facility that’ll keep you breezy as you scour through stacks of old maps and rummage through clothing that your grandmother probably wore. A word to the wise: The vendors are willing to bargain, especially if you buy more than one item from them, so get your game face on to bring those prices down. If you have a keen eye, you can walk away with some pretty neat artwork for your pad.
SoWa Open Market runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. through October 28. If you haven’t been yet, I suggest making your way there this weekend. And I’ll likely be there chowing down on some grilled cheese.
via http://bostinno.com/2012/08/03/a-guide-to-sowa-open-market /