North Market attracts an estimated 1 million plus visitors per year. We are best known for our Farmers’ Market, fresh produce, meats, poultry and seafood, as well as our merchants that offer ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries, fabulous flowers and great gifts. We provide an authentic Columbus, Ohio experience that highlights the diversity and vibrancy of our community, both economically and culturally by promoting “best in class” local independent businesses. Our merchants are also known to throw in a little of their personality, a dose of free and helpful advice and the occasional dash of sass.
The Market originally launched in 1876 and was located at 29 Spruce Street at the city’s public cemetery, “The North Graveyard,” the North End Market (as it was then known) was the second of four public markets in Columbus.
From a fire that completely destroyed it in 1948 to being housed in a Quonset hut purchased with funds pooled by the merchants to temporary closings and threat of demolition, the North Market endured its share of hardships.
Then, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Market emerged as one of the finest public markets in the country — thanks to the creation of the North Market Development Authority (NMDA). This not-for-profit group comprised of shoppers and merchants was established to “preserve and promote the traditional and cultural aspects of the historic North Market.”
The NMDA led the Market’s recovery, including negotiating the 1992 purchase by the city of the former Advanced Thresher warehouse at 59 Spruce Street. The turn-of-the-century farm implements warehouse was ideal for redeveloping the Market; and the NMDA spearheaded a capital campaign to finance building renovations.
All the hard work paid off with the re-opening of the North Market at its current location in November 1995.
North Market is open 7 days per week. The Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday starting at 8 a.m. through the growing season. The Market is also home to Market Flea on Sundays June-October, a drive-in and hosts several events and three large fundraisers each year including the North Market Apron Gala, The Ohio Wine Festival (which is coming up July 10-12) and the Ohio Craft Brew Festival. For information on North Market, visit northmarket.com or better yet just stop by. We are located just steps away from the Greater Columbus Convention Center. We are open Sunday-Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. -7 p.m. (Our Farmers’ Market opens at 8 a.m. through the growing season.)
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.