opened on Neal Place NE between 5th Street NE and 6th Street NE. 60 stalls were set up with more than half being independent concessionaires. Thousands of people lined up in front of the market to receive special coupons for free ice-cream cars, 10 cent a dozen eggs, giant penny doughnuts, ground beef and pork chops for 20 cents a pound and 10 cents packs of cigarettes. Mayor Walter E. Washington and Rep. Hervey Machen (D-MD) were present for the opening day "sausage cutting ceremony". They also shook hands and gave out produce out of bushel basket given to them including a chicken who Mayor Washington gave to Mrs. Baron, a mother of eight children. Farmers Market closure The open air farmers' market that had been operation since 1932 and the announcement was made on January 3, 1976 that it would close. It had become a shadow of itself selling only fruits and vegetables. In July 1975, Gallaudet College bought the two-acre lot located on Penn Street NE between 5th Street NE and 6th Street NE for $325,000. It was to be used for storage of trucks and maintenance equipment. The lot was owned by Historic Figures, the company that owned the Wax Museum in DC. It was leased to a produce retailer named John Spivey would subleased to the farmers. He had retired a few years ago and the lease were coming to an end on December 31, 1959. The College had grown significantly in recent years and needed more space. Some vendors were attempting to get stores nearby but the rents were significantly higher. DC Councilwoman Nadine Winter (D-Ward 6) told college officials she was in favor of the city purchasing the market in order to prevent the shut-down on January 8. However, Edward C. Merrill Jr., President of Gallaudet College responded that the land was needed for storage but said he was open to alternatives. On January 15, the college announced that it would let vendors continue to operate for the time being. The agreement reached on January 13 stated that the extension would be for two or three years approximately and only half of the space due to the dwindling number of vendors. The college would use the western half as it only 50 vehicles but would need all of it once it expends to 100 vehicles in a few years. Today Today, the name Union