If you have spent much time in Los Angeles, you may have visited the Original Farmer’s Market on 3rd street in the Fairfax District. It’s been at the same location since 1934.
Find things to do and where to stay near the Farmer’s Market, here.
A short history of how it all began
Arthur Fremont Gilmore bought the property in 1880 where the market is now and set up a dairy farm. He had a partner who owned land next door called The Grove. Gilmore discovered oil on his land in 1905, gave up the dairy business, and formed a company called Gilmore Oil. It became the largest distributor of oil products west of the Mississippi until the early 1900s when permits no longer allowed big derricks within the city.
When A.F. died in 1918, his son, E.B., took over and created Gilmore Gasoline which operated until 1945 when it was sold to a forerunner of the Mobile Oil Company.
The property became a sports and entertainment center called Gilmore Island with an 18,000-seat football stadium, the former Pan-Pacific Auditorium, and a Drive-in. It was also used for rodeos and car racing.
The Depression during the early 1930s took a toll, but entrepreneurs Fred Beck and Roger Dahlhejelm approached E.B. with a proposal to use the land for a farmer’s market and shopping village. Los Angeles was one of the largest agricultural producers in the country at the time.
Farmers in Los Angeles County wanted a central location to sell their crops to the public. The Gilmores gave Beck and Dahlhejelm permission to organize a market and in July of 1934, 18 tenants began selling out of their trucks at 3rd and Fairfax. The market became so popular the sellers requested permanent stalls. By 1936, the Farmer’s Market resembled what we see today.
A family-owned company and culture
The Farmer’s Market is currently owned by Frank Hilty Jr who is the great-grandson of A.F. Gilmore. Most of the long-time tenants of the Farmer’s Market have inherited their spaces from their family members.
What you can find at the Original Farmer’s Market
The market has always been a popular location for locals to buy meat, produce, fish, and spices. It’s also a fun place to meet friends, socialize, and enjoy an array of American, Jewish, gourmet, and ethnic foods. Tourists often arrive in busloads and go home with armloads of Los Angeles souvenirs.
Dupar’s Restaurant has been an L.A. institution in the market since 1938. If you eat there, make sure to try their to-die-for banana nut bread and pies made from scratch!
The market is open from 10 am to 8 pm and is a casual and lovely place to enjoy brunch, lunch, or an early dinner. Pick out a vendor or two and sit at any of the outdoor tables within the market on original vintage chairs.
Gobble down a yummy bagel and lox from The Salad Bar, sip gourmet coffee from Coffee Corner, or indulge in a beignet from the Gumbo Pot among many other options.
It’s even fun to visit during a rainstorm because the buildings are covered with tarps.
Locals often go there to enjoy concerts or use it as a meeting place. It is next door to CBS Studios so there is always a chance you can catch a celebrity or two having lunch or picking up food to take home.
Enjoy special events and shop while you are there
The market hosts a vintage car show every first Saturday in June and other events such as Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Watch Mardi Gras at the Farmer’s Market on Instagram
You can easily recognize the market from the street by its famous clock tower constructed in 1948.
The Grove, next door, is now owned by Caruso Affiliated and has become a popular high-end shopping, restaurant, and entertainment complex.
The Original Farmer’s Market is located at 6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
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