KQED Handmade Market at Ferry Building Today

The Ferry Building, an 1898 Beaux-Arts landmark, once served as a primary portal to the city, with as many as 50,000 people a day commuting by ferry at its peak. After the construction of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges, its use declined, but it was extensively restored and reopened in 2003 as a public marketplace. The restoration was part of a larger plan to revitalize the waterfront following the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway, which was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Today's marketplace is anchored by the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which was established in 1993, even before the building's full restoration. This market is known for its focus on high-quality, sustainably grown produce from local farms. The success of the farmers market helped pave the way for the Ferry Building to become a hub for the Bay Area's artisan food community. The KQED Handmade Market is an extension of the public media organization's mission to inform, inspire, and involve the Bay Area community. These types of live events are a key part of KQED's strategy to serve as a convener of civic and cultural dialogue. In 2021, KQED completed a major renovation of its San Francisco headquarters, creating a new public space designed to host a variety of community events. This event is part of the KQED Live series, which aims to bring journalism to life and amplify local culture through a variety of in-person and online experiences. The series includes a diverse range of happenings, from discussions with newsmakers to food-focused events and cultural celebrations. In the past, KQED has also hosted a Holiday Night Market at its headquarters, featuring local craft and food vendors. The Bay Area has a thriving scene of artisan and craft fairs, with long-running events like Renegade Craft, which started in 2003 and holds events at Fort Mason. Another major player is West Coast Craft, which also hosts large-scale marketplaces at Fort Mason, showcasing hundreds of vendors from the West Coast and beyond. These fairs provide a platform for independent makers and contribute to the region's vibrant creative economy.