Drinks tonights at 1815.

http://www.englishforum.ch/social-ev...t-viaduct.html

One would think that there's plenty of demand for bland and pretentious in Zurich.

What a pity. I just read in the tages-anzeiger today how succesful it starded :-(

This has officially made my "FIRST 10 THINGS TO DO IN ZURICH" when I arrive. Not the biggest cheese lover, but I'm excited to bring home some of Grumpy's cheese's to the wife. Can't wait to visit the location later this month.

The market is now in its 4th official day, and even on a wet Wednesday it's busy enough and the stall holders are settling in nicely.

It's generally very quiet in the morning, with just a few grannies wandering around enjoying the view. Lunchtime is pretty busy with local office workers getting lunch to take away or to eat in the bar and restaurant.

The afternoon has a steady stream of visitors, but for us the busiest part of the day is from 5 - 8. I've met some amazingly nice Swiss people who have all said very positive things about the market, and our cheese. I've already had quite a few repeat customers.

I'm having to be careful that I don't eat a pie every day though. Last night I had 100gr of excellent salami from the Slow Food stall, I don't know much about salami but I've never tasted one so sweet and soft. That also goes for the young girl who served me.

The highlight of the market for me though is the bar, I feel very comfortable there. The beer is good and not too expensive and the staff very welcoming.

Here's a few photos taken this morning around the hall. Hope to see some of you soon.

Thanks for the shot of my favourite girl.

You mucky sod.

As one who has been frequenting the Viadukt for several months (only the market opened newly this past weekend), I think it's a great urban project. I mean you take a operating train viaduct and put shops in the arches!!!! Brilliant.

And with the exception of the Companys store (even at half-price, they're way overpriced), I think the stores are a good mix of boutique, mainstream, and ultra-unique. I would place billabong and rip curl the second category. I would put the place selling those wonderful nau jackets and the audio store with mid-range and high-eng equipment plus a great selection of crumper bags in the first category. And the high-end bookshelf maker in the third catefogory. You have a restaurant at one end and the market/restaurant at the other end. Plus a wonderful cafe/restaurant in the middle. A hip clothing shop from Bern, other yuppie stores selling unique products such as qwstion bags. Not to mention a kindergarden, a community projects centre, and some weird second-hand furniture shops.

Two slightly negative comments as I do live in the hood.. First, there is too much overlap in the shops in the market. Too many places selling wine, olive oil, pasta sauces. But I think that will sort itself out very fast. And secondly, it's not just urban hipsters who live in the neighbourhood, but also lot of immigrants, esp sri lankan. It is very sad the project didn't look to cater to them as well. But maybe why bother, cuz they wouldn't be silly enough to pay twice as much for fish as compared to our local fishmonger. And the prices might be over their abilities.

I should however mention that the shop selling typical corner store stuff such as newspapers, drinks, toiletries, the prices are equal to COOP, so good on them!

Overall, a great urban revival project and a cool idea. I think it will attract those who are into urban living, who are into supporting unique products, and who enjoy the fantastic atmosphere of a market with a bar at the end.

I for one will be a regular visitor as I have been to-date. And now there is even more to get excited about. And I don't just mean the strudel and bar women.

As another frequent Viadukt visitor (and shopper - Amalgan and Kitchener) in the past few months, I think it's a brilliant attempt at urban renewal, and I hope it will more successfully unite both sides of Kreis 5. It's certainly opened by eyes to Josefswiese/the Josefstrasse area from Langstrasse, and I'm really looking forward to taking my aunty down there to see what she says about the changes in what for her is a rough-and-tumble neighborhood.

As for the market-hall, I can't really understand the kerfuffle here about what shops sell which goods at what prices...surely market forces will determine what survives and thrives, and what eventually falls by the wayside for lack of demand, just like elsewhere?

Personally, I am pleased that the developer PWG didn't want to simply milk the retail space for the highest bid possible, but seemed to take some care in putting together a sensible mix of vendors. Besides Mike's cheese-stand, I'm particularly looking forward to shopping at St. Jakob's bakery, an easy (not to mention delicious) way to support charity, and Tritt's cheese-shop, which until now was only available in Zurich at the Buerkliplatz market.

But then again, I am one of those stupid people who don't mind paying more for good organic and local food, as well as decent service.

Also to Mike, just wanted to say thank you for posting pictures regularly - I've really enjoyed watching the Viadukt come along, and am really, really pleased for you and the Swiss Miss, seeing the pictures of your new stand. Congratulations!

My Husband and I went last Monday and I must say that it's really really great what they did with the place. Of course lot's has to be done outside in the area, but they are working on that. I can Imagine in a year or so, this would be a real cool area to go. As for the Market, the athmospere was really good. You see all kind of people there. We bought, of course some great cheese and chutney from GG (which stall looks great by the way) Shepard pies, brownies, clotted cream and StrudelsCan you imagine what a feast we had in the eveningWe also had a drink at the bar, wich prices and food where very good!! I would say go have a look and spread the word

If Sri Lankans had bothered to make an application to have a store there that satisfied the foundations aims, it would surely have been accepted. The rents aren't prohibative and surely cheaper than running a store on Josefstrasse.

There's no race card to play; plenty of African, British and Italian business owners are already making a success of their pitches. Perhaps they did apply but didn't have interesting enough concepts?

i guess i'd better check them out before they close then!

@HashBrown...I also live in 'the hood.' Am quite interested in where you shop, as you seem pretty savvy about the area. I try and price check, but when it comes to meat or fish, I am curious about whether the local halal market or another ethnic market has better/cheaper produce/meat/fish.
Feel free to PM.

thnx,

fduvall

What are you smoking? I never pulled any race card. Sorry to see UM sink to the new EF lows.

All I mentioned is that the market doesn't necessarily cater to the local neighbourhood, with a specific example. And that is a proper concern. As a civic project, I consider this a negative, even if there are valid reasons why. I was planning on talking to some of the local shops to see if they would have future interest.

Don't raise their hopes. I asked the manager the other day about any future spaces for a friend. He just smiled and said it would be many years before any become available. They don't even plan to have a waiting list.

I guess if any of the shops in the arches do fail they will be passed on to friends, and then offered to existing tenants in the market.

Bugger the locals.

They'd only bring down the tone of the market, anyway.

Send them to the main station...

Whatever you get up to at home please do not do this in the main station. It could cause Grumps a few problems and at least another registered letter .

There are plenty of 'immigrants' at the Viadukt. Most of the stalls are from Kreis 5 / locals. I don't get why you feel the foundation are excluding anyone. They don't. If a Sri Lankan business owner had a good concept and made an application, do you reckon they were explicitly ostracised?

EF lows? lol

I never said anyone was being excluded. I said the market doesn't necessarily cater to the locals. Please consider the difference in the meaning.

And this has nothing to do with race. Accusing me of pulling the race card is just as bad as someone who does pull it. Hence the groan and 'EF low'; simply argue the point as you have otherwise. Again I only used one example; maybe I should have included more or one that was white.

Anyways, the African fruit stand and Brasilian juice stand are good examples in your favour. But I was actually referring more to the style of the whole market. It's not a complaint per se, as I obvioulsy enjoy the market at explained above. But in these gentrification projects, the local makeup is typically not considered and I was pointing out this is in some ways true with the Viadukt. The three Swiss people I was with actually brought up the point to me, especially in consideration of prices.

Anyways .... it wasn't a strong emphasis in my my note that contained many positives. See you at the bar.

When? ....