ABOUT THE MARKET
OUR MISSION
Pybus Public Market is a destination where people gather to experience quality food, goods and services from local businesses. We offer a platform for farmers, artisans and nonprofit organizations. We honor history, promote growth and provide an outlet for community arts, education and charities.
Pybus Market Features
Pybus Public Market opened in 2013 and is located adjacent to the Columbia River just two blocks east of historic downtown Wenatchee. Pybus Market has become the place “Where Community Meets” and features the best of our region including oils and vinegars, wines, fresh produce and honey, meats, cheeses, artisan and handmade products, pastries, and freshly prepared foods from some of the best restaurants in Washington State. A truly unique tasting, shopping and dining experience.
Artisan Day Vendors fill the concourse Friday through Sunday, 9am to 2pm throughout the calendar year showcasing hand-crafted products and adding to the buzz of the market.
Pybus Public Market is also home to the Wenatchee Valley Farmer’s Market, supporting over 50 family farms. A fun and lively outdoor shopping experience, the Farmers Market is open from May to October.
E.T. PYBUS HISTORY
1874
Elias Thomas (E.T.) Pybus
Elias Thomas (E.T.) Pybus was born in Yorkshire, England in 1874. His father was a blacksmith, as was he.
1911
He arrived in Wenatchee at the age of 37 in 1911.
1912
In 1912 the budding entrepreneur bought a blacksmith shop from Charles Ogilvie of Wenatchee for $900. His business evolved from horse shoeing to wagon repair to a wide range of metal fabrication, machine work and welding.
1946
In 1946 E.T. brought back two train cars of scrap steel from Pasco using it to build a large steel warehouse that stands today on prime waterfront along the Columbia River and today is Pybus Public Market.
1961
E.T. Pybus dies at 87
At the height of his business Pybus furnished steel for the build-out of Hanford Nuclear Reservation, North West dams, and shipyards. Many old manhole and sewer covers in Wenatchee bear the name “Pybus Steel Company.” Several of these covers can be seen today near the south end of Pybus Public Market. E.T. Pybus died in 1961 at the age of 87. Pybus Steel Company was sold in the 1960’s and it’s large steel warehouse stood vacant until the mid-2000’s.
2010
In 2010, the Port of Chelan County purchased the Pybus building with an eye towards creating a public market with private sector involvement. It found the right partners in Mike and JoAnn Walker, long-time Wenatchee residents who envisioned the old steel warehouse as a vibrant, bustling public market. “Wenatchee has been our home and a place that has been very good to us,” said Mike Walker. “JoAnn and I are ecstatic to preserve a historic Wenatchee building and help build what will be a long-term asset to the entire region. I am a project kind of guy and helping convert the historic Pybus Steel warehouse into a public market fits me to a tee,” added Walker.
2012
Pybus Public Market
Project conception and development began.
2013
Construction began in June 2012, with Blodgett Construction of Malaga the general contractor. Lead architects were Graham Babba Architects from Seattle and Brad Brisbine, AIA of Wenatchee. After over a year of dreaming, planning and remodeling, Pybus Market opened to the public on Saturday, May 11, 2013. A grand opening celebration followed on Saturday, June 22, 2013. Total construction costs are estimated to be $10M.
TODAY
Pybus Public Market now houses 16 year-around tenants and is also home to the seasonal Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market. The building is a football field in length and is 28,000 sq. ft. Today, the Market features the best of our region – specialty foods, oils and wines, fresh produce and honey, meats, cheeses, artisan and ethnic products and pastries and freshly made, prepared foods from some of the best restaurants in Washington State.