Over the last year and a half, several benches have been removed from the town square. More recently, the large chair by the Lions building was put on the porch.
After three years sitting empty, the Columbia Market House will be re-opening next month.
The historic market, which dates back to 1869, will re-open on Saturday, May 29 featuring 19 local vendors and a full-service restaurant, Gypsy Kitchen. We re bringing life back to this building for the community, market manager Kelsey Miller said.
Miller, who doubles as the healthy communities program manager at CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, will oversee daily operations at the market. CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health and the Columbia Borough have partnered together to breathe new life into the historic site.
Columbia Borough manager Mark Stivers said the market had been vacant since 2017. The current project began picking up steam in summer 2019 and now the grand opening will market the completion of the first phase of the near $3 million project, he said. The second phase will include additional parking for the market house and visitors to downtown Columbia, Stivers said.
“Right now I can’t get 100%, so I need to rethink everything … mentally I need a break, she said. It (COVID) can take you down. It took me down on my knee, but I m not down. I’m coming back … my mission here is not over yet.”
Underneath the heavy Sicilian accent, each of Favorito s words is anchored in conviction. She sits inside her restaurant her home (she and her daughter, Sabrina live upstairs) discussing how she can remember high schoolers writing love letters on the walls. The art has been covered up by a remodel, but she recognizes the same sweethearts walking in today, with their children.