"It 's impossible to not admire the ways in which Indianapolis City Market has grown under the leadership of Stevi Stoesz. Originally opened 1886 and on the National Register of Historic Places, Indianapolis City Market has long been a downtown Indy spot weaving together commerce with simply being a very cool gathering place. At one point, it seemed like Indianapolis City Market was on the way out. Vendors were hit and miss, the facility itself was in more than a little bit of disrepair, and attendance was modest. It seems like over the past 10 years, and especially since 2012 's Super Bowl, Indianapolis City Market has roared back with a vengeance and has again become one of the city 's cooler places to visit with a nice weaving together of office spaces, commerce, and hosted events capitalizing on the Market 's long history and fun features. Advertised as opened 7am 9pm M F, 8am 9pm on Saturday, and closed Sunday, it 's important to note that individual vendor hours vary and they vary greatly. After an event this past Saturday that started at Indianapolis City Market at 8am, I visited the market around 9:30am 10am and was dismayed by the complete lack of available action. I mean, obvious breakfast options like Rebellion Doughnuts, Just Cookies, and Simply Divine Cupcakes were nowhere to be found and worse, hours simply aren 't posted compllcating any effort to perhaps wait until they arrive. Indianapolis City Market is divided into different sections: The First Floor Merchants area includes 30+ vendors with a variety of pastry options, ethnic food options, a florist or two, coffee shops, vegetarian/vegan options, a barbershop, and much more. It 's, to me, the heart n ' soul of City Market (though potentially the most frustrating giving the varying vendor hours). By the time I left around 10am on Saturday, well within posted open times, the barbershop was open, Three Carrots had just opened, Flower Boys was active, 3 Days in Paris was open, and I believe maybe 1 2 more. The vast majority were still not open with no signs of activity. There are four Mezzanine Merchants (where some amazing seating is also located) including Tomlinson Tap Room and Mile Square Coffee. The West Wing, also known as The Platform, is exclusively office space with Market administrative offices also here along with a Ball State program, Indy Food Council, Renew Indianapolis, and others. The East Wing includes three bicycle related programs along with a YMCA location. Unless you 're living underneath a rock, you also know about The Catacombs, an area underneath City Market that is easily one of Indy 's coolest yet difficult to access spots. It 's definitely not wheelchair friendly (though I have been in it thanks to Yelp). They offer tours and if you 're pretty physically able I recommend it. Parking is hit and miss in the area and pretty much exclusively metered. Being across from City Hall and two blocks away from Monument Circle, this area is heavily policed you don 't want to chance playing beat the meter. You 'll lose. There are accessible meters around. There 's a ton of renovation going on causing some disarray with curb cuts, but I was able to access everything needed with some planning. I 'm removing a star for multiple reasons 1) The varying vendor hours is frustrating and, in my eyes, not visitor/tourist friendly, 2) Of the two accessible entrances, one did not work (unacceptable get it fixed), 3) Signage within the market should include accessibility information people with mobility issues and elderly need to know the closest accessible entrances. While I 'm fairly mobile, it 's frustrating to get to a door and have steps to exit, and 4) The exterior is a bit frustrating in wheelchairs and basic external signage should clearly point out public entrances and accessible entrances. This can easily be done without hurting the ambience of the building. Huge pluses the coolness factor is high, those who lead the organization are fantastic and truly love this city, the Catacombs, and City Market is an absolutely fantastic host for this event I attended it has been held there multiple years and I 'm always impressed with their organization, hospitality, and affordable rates for non profits to use their building. A few years ago, City Market would have been a 3 Star for me as it simply needed help. It 's a solid 4 star now and with a few tweaks could easily be a 5 star experience. I love this place and had I been alone I 'd have probably visited multiple merchants on my own that actually were open. Stevi Stoesz is doing amazing things here and building community partnerships I 'm not quite willing to go the 5 star yet, but I see it happening in the future."
Catfish Fillet
