Meads Family Habitat

North Market

After our SegAway tour, the West Virginians were hungry and decided that the North Market was the place to satisfy our hunger.

Below is a description from the North Market's website.

We are Columbus’ only public market and an incubator for small businesses. And we are the place to shop, eat, mingle and people-watch.

The North Market is home to dozens of unique, independent merchants and farmers who deliver personal and personable service every day of the week.

It’s no wonder a million people visit each year.

Now …

In addition to fresh produce, meats, poultry and seafood, our merchants offer ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries, fabulous flowers and great gifts. They also throw in a little of their personality, a dose of free and helpful advice, and the occasional dash of sass.

… and Then

Launched in 1876 and 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.

Judy and I would be so excited to have a facility like this close to our home.

Fresh fruits and vegetables were so beautiful.

Miss Judy found two African baskets made of elephant grass and lined with goat skin. We had purchased one from a vendor at the Black Walnut Festival in Spencer. She loves that basket so now she can love them thrice as much!