This summer, a quick trip east to Newark will provide you with more entertainment options than usual, thanks to the grand opening of the Canal Market District in the heart of the city’s Downtown. While the buzz about the new facility has been building over the past several months, the project is actually decades in the making by local community leader J. Gilbert “Gib” Reese.
“For the past thirty years, Gib would tell anyone who would listen about his vision to create a public farmers’ market space in Downtown Newark along the former site of the Ohio Canal,” explains Canal Market District Senior Operations Director Jazz Glastra. “As part of a public-private partnership, Gib’s vision is finally coming to fruition through a generous investment by the Thomas J. Evans Foundation of Newark.”
The facility will feature a permanent market plaza with three covered pavilions, a renovation to the Second Street parking garage, and new greenspace throughout the site.
“Just as the Ohio Canal once connected farmers and craftspeople to markets further afield, the Canal Market District will connect local farmers to the people of Newark and Licking County,” said Glastra. “In addition, we envision the Canal Market District as a space where craft fairs, festivals, and other community events will be held. “
In addition to providing a local point of community pride, Glastra said that Licking County hopes that events at the Canal Market District can help draw new visitors from Zanesville, Lancaster, Columbus and other areas. Goals for the project span from serving local low-income residents by offering food education and programming, to helping to build the entrepreneurial community by adding new resources to the region.
“The Canal Market District is in the midst of a feasibility study for a regional food hub that would supply larger, wholesale buyers with local foods,” said Glastra. “In addition, the food hub will serve as a community kitchen that offers food entrepreneurs the ability to rent a certified commercial kitchen where they can process and prepare foods for sale. We believe this will be an important driver of economic development in the Newark area, especially for up-and-coming small businesses.”
The dedication ceremony for the Canal Market District will take place on May 27th from 6pm to 10pm, featuring live music, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. The grand opening market day will take place on June 3rd, and will run every Tuesday and Friday through October 28th from 4pm to 7pm.
For more information, visit www.canalmarketdistrict.org.
Renderings via Canal Market District.
