Cleanup is underway at the City Market building in downtown Roanoke after Friday’s fire. The fire chief says the fire started in the ventilation system above Fork in the Market.

The historic Roanoke City Market has been a downtown staple for more than 140 years, making it the oldest continuously operating open-air market in Virginia. Today, it continues to help small businesses thrive, with vendors highlighting its affordability and community support.

The flood happened on November 4, 1985, but a new exhibit at City Market aims to teach those who weren’t alive than about the severity of the storm. Five signs were installed on Market Square Friday morning, showing pictures of the devastation and facts about the flood. The installation is a joint effort of Roanoke Stormwater and the History Museum of Western Virginia. It’s never happened at this scale in Roanoke since, and I’m so thankful that it hasn’t.”The display on City Market is accompanied by a photography exhibit at the history museum, which opens on Sept. 22. “Hopefully the people who were not alive or in the Roanoke area will see what an impact the flood had,” said Webb.

Hundreds of people pulled up chairs and participated in a worship service on Market Square. Its so important that our city hears the voice of peace, hears the voice of Jesus coming in the midst of chaos, Henderson said. Were bringing togetherness; thats our mission.This was the second Sunday in a row Hendersons event occupied Market Square. We want to know that the city of Roanoke wants to gather and worship Jesus appropriately, McClure said. Let us leave this event today saying I have to be better, added Pastor Michael Anderson of New Generation Church.

ROANOKE, Va. As students get ready to go back to school, one Roanoke company is hoping youll donate supplies to the second annual Park it on the Market event. On Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ALCOVA Mortgage is teaming up with Downtown Roanoke Inc. to park a bus in the City Market. The goal is to fill it with school supplies for Roanoke City students. If you would like to donate, you dont have to wait until Friday to do so. You can drop off school supply donations at ALCOVA Mortgage Branches in Roanoke, The Kirk Family YMCA, the YMCA Express at Gainsboro or Kids Square.

Vendors lined up on City Market Saturday morning for the first weekend farmers market since Virginia Gov. The customers are really appreciating it," said Tim Belcher, who has sold flowers at City Market for thirty years. The vendors booths were spread apart, all of the vendors wore masks, and customers had to stand six feet apart at all times. Despite the restrictions, Tim Bratton decided to buy bags of goods from the market. Belcher said it is still significant to see both vendors and customers out on Market Street.