A Civic Center

 

As a regular stop in the daily life of the community, local markets played an important civic role. Some were designated voter registration and polling places in their city wards; others sold stamps as part of the city’s effort to decentralize the post office and make basic services more accessible. Many markets operated informally as locations where citizens could pick up information on important local issues.  

 

The League of Women’s Voters distributed pamphlets about proposed city zoning changes through local businesses, including Kieslich’s Market on North Avenue.  
Burlington Free Press, February 26, 1947

Markets as Community Postage Stations

Burlington Daily News, October 20, 1954