The Eastern Market Community Advisory Committee (EMCAC) met on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the North Hall (225 Seventh St SE).
First on the agenda was the way that EMCAC is dealing with an email list, one of whose purposes integrates the Department of General Services (DGS) ombudsman responsibilities. The discussion turned on making the role fit with a newly created appeals process for the Market vendors.
Additionally, EMCAC Public Safety Committee announced the formation of a concierge-like group. That group will be a simple presence of volunteers who are not security but are at the Market to be helpful.
Market Manager’s Report
DGS Eastern Market Manager Barry Margeson reported that Market revenue to date is $359,000. That’s up $49,000 due to the boost from this most recent winter, mostly due to the strong bookings of the North Hall. The North Hall revenue for this December alone was $66,650. Market expenses to date FY26 are $310,000.
As far as the ongoing bollards saga goes, EMCAC’s Brian Pate referenced the Market Manager saying, “ there are no guidelines yet on bollards, but it does sound as though there is being progress made.”
The completed Eastern Market Emergency Response Plan (ERP) video, which outline steps that would be taken in reaction to an “incident” is now required viewing by the merchants and vendors. So far 25 have watched. The video will need to be viewed by all merchants and vendors by Spring season, or the beginning of April .
Social Media at the Eastern Market
EMCAC is watching social media as part of a renewed interest in market promotion. Social Media followers on Facebook are 51,000; reach exceeded 280k over the last 28 days. On Instagram, the market had 38.1k followers. Social media followers on Tik Tok are 7528.
Enterprise Fund Changes to the Market Legislation
Some pushback is expected from EMCAC as the committee deals with the repeal of Eastern Market’s Enterprise Fund legislation. The repeal was passed on Dec. 6, 2025 and allows the Executive branch to permanently sweep any remaining unspent funds from the Market’s Enterprise Fund.
According to EMCAC South Hall Representative Mike Bowers of Fancy Dairy Products those amounts totaled $250,000 in 2025.
One strategy under discussion by EMCAC members to blunt the impact of future sweeps is simply to budget and then spend any and all money, leaving all funding at zero balance at the end of each fiscal year.
As Chair Chuck Burger aptly put it: “ It is like an expense account. [You] spend it or lose it. “
Winter Worrisome Signs
Head of EMCAC Tenant Council and long-term vendor Anita Jefferson and a long time member of EMCAC raised a late meeting cautionary flag about concerns of fulltime vendors over a perceived slow down in business that followed a successful holiday.
Jefferson said that there has been a dramatic drop in street traffic outside the Market that is different from other years. In previous years, while both customers and vendors disappeared during the holiday season they returned, however slowly.
According to Jefferson foot traffic is down when there is usually an uptick in January and February.
“We’ll need to address that” Burger stated as he adjourned the meeting, ”and keep it on the front burner.”
Peter J. Waldron is a long time resident of the Hill and former Chair of ANC6B. He has been reporting on the Eastern Market for more than fifteen years. Waldron can be reached at peter218@prodigy.net.
