Heading towards the finish line in early March before the coronavirus pandemic put the world on hold, Center Street Market vendors are finally getting to serve their first customers in Old Hilliard.
Most of the market’s 11 vendors at 5354 Center St. are now open, including Dumplings of Fury, Bakes by Lo, The Cheesecake Girl, Rime Time, Meatball Mafia, Coffee Connections, Al’s Delicious Popcorn, Two Step Tacos and Serendipity. It’s the original line up with a name substitution for Legacy Smokehouse’s spot, becoming Two Step Tacos to signifying a pared down menu from the barbecue joint.
Just two spots are left to open – an already announced Pitabilities, which should be up and running by the end of the month, and a confirmed but yet-to-be named burger concept.
All Center Street Market vendors are required to be open from 11 a.m – 7 p.m., but have the flexibility to expand their hours on their own accord.
Owner Robert Fry says many of the food vendors are already planning for later hours to feed the crowds from Crooked Can Brewing Co. which shares the space with Center Street Market.
The brewery had opened in February, just weeks before the shutdown, and welcomed guests back as soon as the state allowed.
The market and brewery have found themselves with room to spread out to accommodate social distancing guidelines. An event space is currently being used as overflow seating, complete with its own bar that’s pouring on the weekends.
The City of Hilliard also closed down Center Street in front of the market, lining up picnic tables down the street for additional outdoor seating. Fry says the street will remain closed throughout the summer, but hopes that it will become a permanent pedestrian area.
Wednesdays through Fridays, DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area) rules the street, with patrons able to take adult beverages across a five-block area.
For more information, visit crookedcanohio.com and follow Center Street Market on Facebook.
All photos by Susan Post