Historic Marketplaces Bring Food and People Together

Trendy offerings such as Berlin Currywurst, Eggslut, Broadway Street Oyster Co. and all-vegan Ramen Hood share space alongside family-owned Legacy Vendors with the next generation at the helm. One of these is China Cafe, which opened in 1959. Its original 22-seat counter was full, and dishes from its original menu are still favorites. Another is the longstanding Torres Produce's throwback stall of fresh fruits, vegetables and a staggering display of 20-plus varieties of dried chiles.

Wexler's Deli, a 10-year GCM vendor, won me over with its quintessential sandwich of tender carved-to-order pastrami and oozing mustard on rye -- "The O.G." As I chowed down at the counter, the friendly server explained the difference between pastrami and corned beef: "They're the same," he said, "but pastrami is cooked with more spices."

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, GCM's lower level comes alive with The Bazaar, where local merchants and artisans sell handmade clothing, jewelry and other original creations.

Open nightly until 10 p.m., GCM is not just for foodies but fills the appetites of architecture and history buffs, too.

The following weekend, my husband and I trekked to the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax. In 1934, this corner land was vacant -- until an idea to "build a village" was born.

In the late 19th century, the land was a dairy farm owned by Arthur Gilmore. When he decided to expand his farm, he went digging for water. He struck oil instead.

Gilmore's Midas touch turned the farmland into fields of oil derricks. Petroleum produced by the Gilmore Oil Co. was used to pave roads throughout the region, and his more than 1,100 gas stations fueled the growing automobile industry. But expansion of Los Angeles would limit growth of the oil fields, and the city's first farmers market was born.

Farmers paid 50 cents a day for a parking space to sell fresh produce from their pickups. Restaurants and stores were added, and colorful festivals became part of the mix. News of this novel attraction drew local shoppers and international travelers.

Today the lively covered marketplace located just south of CBS Television City buzzes with more than 100 vendors and services such as produce stands, gift stores, a meat market, old-fashioned candies, a Mediterranean market, prepared-food stalls offering international cuisines and Monsieur Marcel's gourmet market, seafood market and romantic bistro.

Displayed on a wall are nostalgic photographs of the market's early days, including one with 1950s actress Marilyn Monroe. The market is still a favorite Hollywood hangout. The iconic clock tower honors the original 18 vendors and visionaries Fred Beck and Roger Dahlhjelm, whose idea for a community farmstand became a reality.

In 2002, Third and Fairfax continued the spirit of community and nostalgia with the addition of The Grove, a Main Street-style open-air mall complete with a cobbled lane, a cinema, a bookstore, restaurants, high-end shops and a double-decker trolley built on the undercarriage of a 1950s Boston streetcar to transport guests to the Original Farmers Market.

Beware: Traffic at the famous intersection is always busy. If you don't see the clock tower first, look for the low-profile white brick wall on the northeast corner that marks the spot with the handwritten slogan: "Meet me at Third and Fairfax."

WHEN YOU GO

Grand Central Market: www.grandcentralmarket.com

The Original Farmer's Market: www.farmersmarketla.com

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Athena Lucero is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.