Guide to Union Street Market at Electric Works

Jul 26, 2023

A new destination awaits in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Electric Works.

Opening in the late 1800s, the former General Electric plant housed dozens of buildings and employed nearly 10,000 workers. Spanning nearly 40 acres in the southwest corner of downtown Fort Wayne, the campus has sat empty and dark for years. Now, this historic area is on the rise, finding new life as Electric Works — a reimagined mixed-use district.

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Phase I of the project includes co-working areas, education and innovation spaces, and of course, dining and leisure.

At the heart of the campus is Union Street Market, the first food hall and public market in Northeast Indiana!

Union Street Market opened in November 2022, welcoming the general public for the first time to experience the Electric Works campus. Walk the East and West Halls to find a diverse mix of local merchants offering everything from seafood and delicious BBQ to kombucha and hard cider.

EAST HALL — Independent merchants offering fresh and specialty foods, meat, seafood, baked goods, and more:

Pictured: The Kitchen & Co. in the East Hall

WEST HALL – Local businesses selling prepared foods, wines, desserts, and more:

Pictured: West Hall at Union Street Market

In the warmer months, garage doors on the outer wall of the West Hall open, extending the space out into a beer garden!

Once you have your food, grab an open table and dig in. Find a table in the lower level of the West Hall, or head upstairs to the mezzanine level overlooking the West Hall. (Access the mezzanine via the staircases at the North and South ends of the West Hall, OR using the elevator next to Local Apple Cart.)

In between the East and West Halls, the 5,000 sq. ft. Arcade offers additional space for dining tables. Grab a seat and enjoy your food, as you take in the murals lining the walls. Each mural was painted by a local artist, and inspired by one of the merchants inside the hall!

Pictured: "Arcade" space between the East and West Halls. Merchant-inspired art lines the walls

Be sure to check the calendar of events, as the Arcade will also play host to many artisan markets and special events throughout the year.

This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated. Last Updated: May 2023

Take your pick between several great (FREE) parking options!

There are two additional parking lots — the Wall Street Lot (on Wall St., west of College St.) and the Public Lot on the east side of McCulloch Park (accessible by taking Broadway to Parkview Ave.)

Visitors will find handicapped parking spots available in the Union Street Parking Garage, Swinney Ave. Lot, and along Broadway. Additionally, Dynamo Alley — the street running along the south side of Union Street Market (between the market and building #19) — is usually open for cars to drop off individuals at the entrance of the market.

Feeling more active? Bike to Electric Works along Fort Wayne's extensive trail system! As you shop and dine, leave your bike locked in one of the racks adjacent to the East Hall.

It's no secret that Fort Wayne loves public art. Electric Works and Union Street Market have channeled the creative talent that flows through our city, incorporating local art into the innovative spaces throughout the campus.

As mentioned, visitors can browse the merchant-inspired murals hanging in the Arcade between the East and West Halls — but it doesn't stop there. As you walk from the Union Street Parking Garage to the market, you’ll journey through the Union Street Tunnel, where local muralist Theoplis Smith III (aka Phresh Laundry) uses paint and light to pay homage to the history of Electric Works.

Don't be surprised if you see old pieces of machinery around the grounds. These pieces have been preserved and placed intentionally throughout the campus to honor the people, the work, and the stories that once filled these buildings. Stop and read the plaques to learn a bit of history on your next visit!

As Phase I of Electric Works begins to open to the public, it truly feels like a full-circle experience — where Fort Wayne's history becomes a focal point of our city's next chapter!

Visit unionstreetmarket.org or fortwayneelectricworks.com to find all the details and plan your visit.

Erin graduated from the University of Saint Francis in May 2016 with a BA in Communication. A proud Fort Wayne native, she enjoys sharing "home" with others through stories. On the weekends, you will often find Erin checking out live music around town, eating dinner at Henry's, or rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer.