Despite the enveloping decay, the customers kept coming, many now arriving by car from other neighborhoods and from the suburban county. In the 1970's, the neighborhood had reached its nadir, and began a long comeback. Today and the Future Soulard Market is not without problems today. The physical facility, state of the art 68 years ago, is now aged and not efficient. Deferred maintenence and heavy use has taken its toll on the building.
Business is down, due to several factors.
Competition from many other food sources and the hurry up nature of our society today certainly don't help. No one wants this cultural treasure to fade away, as have all the other public markets. Look for updates here on the future of Soulard Market in 2001.