Quincy+Market

Natalie Chu Engl 101 Public Space Paper Quincy Market  Standing in front of the monumental building, one may mistake the Quincy Market for a statehouse. However, once inside, he or she will realize that it is actually a vast hall of boundless cuisine options. Now a famous tourist attraction, the Quincy Market was built as an addition to Faneuil Hall in the 1800s. The construction of Quincy Market crossed boundaries and reached milestones for the city of Boston. The twenty seven thousand square foot, two stories building, was the first to use large-scale granite and glass in post-and-beam construction (“Quincy Market, Boston”). More importantly, it represents Boston’s first major project since its establishment as a city ( "Quincy Market - iBoston.org"). It represented the city’s ability to develop and grow independently. With the growth of Boston, the Quincy Market also grew as a major tourist attraction and a main source of unique foods for natives of the area. Given the array of cuisine options the market offers today, it’s hard to believe that it once only sold produce, eggs, cheese, and bread (“Quincy Market, Boston”). Today the Quincy Market houses dozens of restaurants and food stalls. As one can imagine, taking a stroll through the promenade will vitalize and invigorate the senses. The Quincy Market represents innovation, unity, and of course fine cuisine.   When first encountered with the colossal building, one will be greeted with arched Romanesque doors. The multiple wide entrances of the Quincy Market invite massive crowds at all times of the year. Hundreds of people made up of tourists and Boston natives swarm throughout the entire hall in search of the perfect meal to satisfy their aching bellies. The Quincy Market attracts all types of people who have worked up an appetite from a busy shopping day at Faneuil Hall. The endless selection of cuisine is beyond overwhelming. Creative signs hanging over each restaurant decorate the hall till the very end of the market where the last restaurant sits. One must take a stroll throughout the entire food hall before he or she makes a final decision. The warm floodlights illuminate each food stall inviting hungry customers in. The broad white columns lining the hallway add to the Romanesque theme presented in the building’s exterior. Each stall has their own unique theme that lures in customers to their station. Whether it be cheese pizza from Pizzeria Regina, curried lamb from Bombay club, or even a maki roll from Ueno Sushi, it can all be found here in this very hallway. The Quincy Market represents food from all over the world. Desserts such as gelato from Joey’s Gelateria or cookies from Carol Ann’s Bake Shop can also be found at the market to end a delicious meal. The market truly serves as a gathering place for all cultures and nationalities. After finding their culinary selections, most people will head to the seating area located in the center of the marketplace cutting in between the two hallways. The dome shaped two-story area is where crowds flock to enjoy their food. One can rarely find a seat in the always congested dining area. The seating is structured into long tables to seat as many people as possible into the circular shaped dome. It seems as if the seating arrangement was meant to bring people together and share their love of food. The view inside the Quincy Market represents Boston well because it is a melting pot of all kinds of people joined together for one reason, enjoy food.  As one can imagine, all these people crowded into one building leads to much commotion. Shuffling feet, screaming children, and uproarious conversations add to the energy. Shopping bags crinkle and scrunch as strangers brush and squeeze by large crowds. Of course in this day and age, cell phones are ringing every ten minutes. Just by walking through the hallway, one will hear dialogue spoken in all different parts of the world. As one can guess a common phrase heard is “What do you want to eat?” Occasionally vendors stand out in the hallway yelling, “Free samples!” to attract potential customers. The beeping and clatter of cash registers monotonously ring above the noise. Adding to the commotion, pots, pans, and all kinds of kitchen utensils clunk and clang in the kitchens. Vendors screaming “Order up!” is another common phrase ringing throughout the hallway. All these boisterous sounds may seem unappealing, but it all adds to the quaint allure of Quincy Market. All the hustle and bustle creates an energized atmosphere.  With all these different types of foods crammed into one hallway, the aroma from each stall clash with one another. As one strolls down the hallway his or her nose will be stimulated by the alternating smells from each food stall. A savory blend of tomato sauce and cheese may lead one towards Pizzeria Regina. Then the sweet smell of teriyaki chicken may be overcome by the strong musk of curry chicken within a couple feet. Then taking a few more steps, the warm decadent scent of cookies take over the senses leading towards Kilvert & Forbes Bakeshop. The smells from each food stall gives visitors a taste of culture and tradition. Instead of creating a pungent scent, somehow all these flavors join together in harmony to create a warm mouth watering aroma. Whatever direction one travels in, the nose will guide them to the stall their stomach is craving for. All of these senses make up the unique ambience of the Quincy Market. One of the reasons that the Quincy Market serves as a third place is because it offers a variety of food that appeal to all kinds of culture. It offers food from Italy, Japan, China, India, and many other countries. It is a home away from home for those who want a taste of their own culture. All these choices make it near impossible for one to make a decision. Whether it is pizza, clam chowder, or teriyaki chicken, almost everything and anything can be found at the Quincy market. It also serves as a third place because it invites people to join together in the dining area to share food together. It is a place where people can stay awhile and enjoy food and company. It seems that the building is still serving the same purpose as it did almost two hundred years ago.  The Dining area of Quincy Market The food promenade