Neighborhood markets are widely considered a thing of the past. You simply don’t see many of them around anymore. Perhaps you remember the market you grew up by as a kid; the one you walked to after school to buy a piece of candy and a soda. For many, memories of spending time at the neighborhood market are just that—memories. However, there’s one market in Idaho that still remains, despite a few bumps in the road. The Roosevelt Market is an institution in this little Boise neighborhood and you’ll definitely want to check it out. After all, it’s truly the last of its kind.
Hiding out in a historic East End neighborhood of Boise is a quaint market that will make you feel like you've traveled back in time. The Roosevelt Market is a beloved hidden gem and it's so worth a visit, especially if you have fond childhood memories of visiting neighborhood shops like this one.
The Roosevelt Market has been around for a long time. The shop's building is 118 years old and the store first opened for business in 1918. This century-old institution has created sweet memories for generations upon generations of Idahoans, and it continues to to this day.
This place is really a quintessential neighborhood market. Upon walking in the doors, you'll notice right away how small it is. There might be a few neighborhood residents hanging out, chatting away, or reading the paper. On the market's shelves are the necessities—one of each. It's nothing fancy, but that's why it's so charming.
The market may be small, but you can feel the rich history that lingers here. You'll find a guest book behind the store's counter containing the stories of people from decades ago who hold treasured memories of this market. They might've attended Roosevelt Elementary across the street or lived in the neighborhood. It's evident that this place is much more than a market.
The Roosevelt Market hasn't been without its hardships but the community love for this place is real. It was forced to close down for awhile in 2003, and just last year the owner's put the store up on the market. People were worried this was the store's end. However, it was bought by two locals who promised to carry on the market's unique legacy.
Today, you can walk in the doors and experience a piece of living, breathing history. As mentioned, the market supplies a few necessities but they are mostly known for their homemade breakfasts and lunches. Sit down and enjoy a piping hot cup of soup (it was a delicious White Chili with Chicken when I last visited) while sipping on a cup of coffee or pint of beer—all of which are local.
For the most part, neighborhood markets are something from a bygone era. They've struggled to survive in Idaho's constantly evolving landscape. However, Roosevelt Market has endured, and we couldn't be more grateful.
