Watershed Market Comes To Houston: A New Open-Air Sustainable Destination in EaDo
By Robert Sussman
Art courtesy of Watershed Market
Stating the obvious, Houston is growing. As our city expands in both population and diversity, there is a need for sustainable development that will encourage pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Watershed Market is one project aiming to meet these needs by bringing an old-world style marketplace to the community.
“With Houston well on its way to becoming the third largest city in the United States, we need to establish a permanent destination where people can meet, shop-n-stroll, and experience local food and culture on a regular basis,” said Dr. Audrey Trotti, Watershed Market founder.
Opening spring 2024 in East Downtown (EaDo), Watershed Market will showcase local food purveyors, fashion and jewelry designers, furniture makers, artists and innovators. The goal is simple: create a curated marketplace focusing on locally-sourced products, sustainable living and diverse entertainment in a fun, festive atmosphere.
“Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. and it doesn’t have a large market like Seattle or New York or San Francisco,” said Jefferson Fan, owner of Qahwa Coffee Roasters.
Neighborhoods like EaDo, which Watershed Market will call home, are helping lead the way in creating these walkable communities. Last fall the EaDo Management District spearheaded a volunteer-driven initiative to plant 250 native trees along the International Promenade. This tree-lined pedestrian plaza connects BBVA Compass Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo, to the future site of Watershed Market.
The EaDo Management District, The City of Houston and METRO have expressed their support for the development of Watershed Market as a community resource. Local artisans, patrons and sustainability professionals have voiced their need for a place like Watershed Market that captures public attention and highlights our local resources.
“The community is excited to begin this first phase of many improvements to the Bastrop Street Right-of-Way and the creation of the Houston International Promenade in EaDo,” said Anton Sinkewitch, Executive Director of the East Downtown Management District. “We have numerous capable and enthusiastic neighborhood partners supporting and working with EaDo to make this vision a reality, and Watershed Market is certainly one such partner.”
Watershed Market will start with four weekend events planned for 2024. The aim is to grow organically and becoming a daily destination for Houstonians and visitors seeking access to green, local, adaptive, sustainable, innovative and reusable (GLASIR) products.
Visitors will be able to enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, local brews and demonstrations on sustainable living practices such as rainwater harvesting, bee keeping and urban gardening.
“It’s all about Houston, bringing artisans and chefs, and food and fun and music all under one roof,” said Tracy Jones of Street Scene Studios.
In keeping with the spirit of greener living, Watershed Market will encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation. Strolling along the International Promenade, hopping on the METRORail toward the soon-to-be-opened EaDo/Stadium Station or riding a bike will all be convenient ways to arrive at the market.
“The foundation that Watershed Market is creating today will provide a framework for the future of Houston,” said Dr. Trotti. “It takes a community to create a marketplace of this magnitude and we welcome all community members to help launch this project with us, whether as visitors, vendors, volunteers or sponsors. Watershed Market is a stepping stone to creating stronger communities in Houston!”
Watershed Market’s first weekend event is March 22-23, 2024 at 2322 Polk Street Houston TX 77003, which will be located across from the George R. Brown Convention Center and US-59. For more information, visit WatershedMarket.com or find them on social media.
