Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace: A Guide to Vermont’s Best-Known Downtown
Church Street Marketplace pedestrian mall in Burlington, Vermont, in autumn. Photo: Sdkb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
If Vermont has a Main Street, it’s probably Church Street in Burlington. Four brick-paved blocks, closed to cars and lined with shops, restaurants and cafés, make up the Church Street Marketplace, one of the most successful pedestrian malls in the United States. It’s where Vermonters shop, eat, people-watch and gather for celebrations and protests.
History
In the 1970s, like many American downtowns, Burlington’s center was losing shoppers to suburban malls. City leaders and business owners decided to turn Church Street into a pedestrian mall, a popular downtown strategy at the time. The Church Street Marketplace opened in 1981, running roughly from City Hall Park at Main Street north toward the historic First Unitarian Universalist Society church at Pearl Street, which gave the street its name.
Many pedestrian malls built in that era were later reopened to traffic after they failed. Church Street is one of a handful that thrived, along with places like Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall and Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.
How it’s managed
The marketplace is managed by the Church Street Marketplace District, a city entity with its own staff and a commission that includes business and community members. It’s funded partly through special assessments on district property owners. The district handles:
- cleaning, snow removal, flowers and maintenance,
- permits for street vendors, outdoor dining and performers,
- marketing and events.
Street life and events
Church Street is known for:
- Buskers and street performers, from musicians and jugglers to occasional circus performers (see our profile of Circus Smirkus).
- Outdoor dining on the brick, with sidewalk cafés in warm months.
- Festivals and events, including seasonal celebrations, sidewalk sales and holiday events.
- First Night and other community gatherings.
City Hall Park, at the street’s southern end, was renovated in recent years and hosts events and markets.
Challenges
Church Street’s success hasn’t made it immune to the pressures on American downtowns:
- Retail changes: online shopping and the pandemic hit stores. Some longtime retailers closed, and storefront vacancy rose.
- Public safety and homelessness: Burlington has faced visible homelessness, substance use and concerns about safety downtown. City leaders, social service agencies and businesses have debated responses, from more outreach and services to policing changes.
- The CityPlace project: redevelopment of the former Burlington Town Center mall site next to Church Street stalled for years after demolition began in 2017, leaving a large hole downtown. The project has since moved forward under revised plans. Check city updates for the current status.
- Housing: adding downtown housing is seen as key to keeping the area busy (see Vermont’s housing shortage).
Visiting tips
- Parking: city-owned garages and lots surround the downtown, and the first hour is sometimes free at city garages. Check current policies.
- Transit: Green Mountain Transit’s downtown transit center is a block away.
- Nearby: the Burlington waterfront, bike path and ECHO science center on Lake Champlain are a short walk downhill.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive on Church Street? No. The four main blocks are closed to general traffic. Delivery vehicles and emergency vehicles have limited access, and cross streets remain open to cars.
Do street performers need a permit? Yes. Performers and vendors on the marketplace are regulated through permits issued by the marketplace district, which sets rules on locations, hours and sound.
Is Church Street busy in winter? Shops and restaurants stay open year-round. Holiday events and lights bring crowds in December, though outdoor dining is seasonal.
How do I find events? The Church Street Marketplace website and the City of Burlington post event calendars, along with local arts and event listings.
Is there public Wi-Fi or seating? Benches and public seating are available along the marketplace. Check the marketplace website for current amenities.
Is Church Street accessible? The marketplace is level brick paving with curb cuts at cross streets. Some older storefronts have steps, so call ahead if you need step-free access. Accessible parking is available in nearby city garages.
Related coverage
See the history of Burlington Telecom and our farmers markets guide, including Burlington’s Saturday market. More in Local News.
Sources
- Church Street Marketplace: https://www.churchstmarketplace.com/
- City of Burlington: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/
- Green Mountain Transit: https://ridegmt.com/
