The Forks announced major changes in May 2015, and a budget of $2.5 million.
Plans included five new food vendors, a craft beer and wine kiosk and a custom harvest table made by a local company.
Almost a year later, dramatic lighting and new seating was installed.
“Well, when I first walked in, I saw the tables and it felt very welcoming,” said Forks patron Janine Tschuncky.
“People were looking at each other and interacting with each other. So I thought, that’s a wonderful idea because there’s never been enough tables in this particular area.”
The design channels the Forks’ industrial history. The Forks Market opened on Oct. 4, 1989 after crews restored and connected two old stables.
The new centre court features rustic, reclaimed wood, and sections of classic Forks teal were painted black.
“It’s not just new furniture, but more seating, more accessibility, and then soon we’re also going to be announcing new food kiosks,” said The Forks’ Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Kristin Pauls.
New food vendors are expected to open in the coming weeks.
There’s no firm date for when the renovations will be completed.
Pauls said it’s difficult to predict the economic impact the changes will have, because they are unprecedented.
But she said that the public feedback has been positive.
The Forks has 4 million visitors a year.
