What type of Apron Gala attendee are you? Have you been plotting since the end of the competition last year what your apron will look like this year?  Or perhaps you will buy yours from one of our talented local artisans? Will you make your own? Go with your old standby as it’s something of a tradition? Or will you forego an apron altogether? Whatever your preference is we’re looking forward to seeing you at

the Apron Gala on Saturday, May 22. The 14th annual fundraiser for the North Market Development Authority will take place from 7 – 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person.

Graze on delightful and delectable appetizers, main tastes and desserts, artfully prepared by our merchants. Enjoy W.J. Deutsch and Sons wines, Columbus Brewing Company micro-brews, soft drinks, coffee and tea, plus live music, a silent auction and other entertaining surprises. Prizes will be awarded for the night’s best aprons and special culinary awards to merchants for their gastronomic entries. As an added special treat, Tricia Wheeler, Chef and Editor of Edible Columbus will be creating canapés in the Dispatch Kitchen throughout the evening and giving away copies of her new local-foods-centric publication.

An extraordinary silent auction continues to be one of the most popular features of the evening. Up for bid are various themed packages highlighting market merchants, neighborhoods (like Downtown, the Short North, Grandview and German Village), sporting events (Blue Jackets, Columbus Crew, golf), and getaways.  Each bundle will contain a host of amenities from theatre tickets and restaurant gift certificates to spa services, gourmet products and hotel stays.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their checkbooks or credit cards to take advantage of the unique deals!

As the title of the event implies, all in attendance are encouraged to wear their favorite apron or create one in honor of the gala!  Best male and female aprons will be selected and all guests wearing an apron will be entered into a drawing for a special prize.  Commemorative aprons will be available on sale for $15 at the event.

Tickets are available online here> or in person during Market hours in our 2nd floor business office. Heck, you can even call us at (614) 463-9664 and we’ll mail ’em to you!

At North Market we are known for our conglomeration of outstanding local food vendors, our bustling Saturday Farmers’ Market and now in its third year our Artisan Sundays handcrafted market. At North Market we make it our mission to bring you the best in “local” from fine food to farm fresh produce to the music that entertains you on a weekend visit to the handcrafted marketplace offered on Artisan Sundays. Join us at the North Market for Artisan Sundays on the first and third Sundays of each month from May through October where local artisans and crafters will offer distinctive handmade items for sale.

“Customers, merchants and crafters all love Artisan Sundays,” said Mary Martineau, Director of Marketing at the North Market. “It’s just one more way the North Market is able to support small, local independent businesses by creating an ongoing opportunity for individuals who are exceptional at creating unique handcrafted goods.”

Participating vendors, dates and product listing:
Alison Rose (1st Sundays): hand printed t-shirts, screen printed goods
Autumn Threads (various dates): handmade bohemian style clothing
Baublelicious (May 16): one of a kind jewelry
BC Appliqué (1st Sundays): appliquéd towels, bibs, guardian angels
Baby Gee’s (3rd Sundays): baby accessories including blankets, burp cloths, bibs, towels, bags
Batik Creations (May 2, Aug. 15): batik clothing
Beaches (1st Sundays): beach glass jewelry
And the Bead Goes On (3rd Sundays): beaded, wired and marbled serving pieces
Beau and Pearl (full season): handcrafted jewelry
Black Cat Designs (3rd Sundays): enamel jewelry, art and items
Black Market (full season): jewelry, fiber art accessories
Blue Star Jewelry (June 6, Aug. 15): magnets, plush and felt items
By Tabatha Hemmerling (full season): 950 silver and Eco jewelry
Carmacazzi (full season): hand-printed eco-conscious apparel for men and women
Charlyn’s Jewelry Box (May 2): handcrafted jewelry
Circa Circus (various dates): clutch purses, cupcake hats, baby items
Classic Celtic Carvings (June 20, July 18, Aug. 15): hand carved wooden pieces with Celtic knot designs
Claudia Carreon (various dates): copper, brass and alpaca jewelry
Clay Creations by Katherine (various dates): handmade pottery
Corazon y Manos (full season): jewelry, jewelry boxes
Cranedale Design (1st Sundays): copper enamel tiles, trays and pendants
Crazy Craft N Ladies (1st Sundays): felted and crocheted bags, hats, scarves
Dotdesign (May 2, Aug. 1, Sep. 5): hand painted furniture, paintings, jewelry
Ethel Jayne Originals (3rd Sundays): bags and accessories from recycled materials
Flying Wishes (full season): critter crayons, greeting cards, My Monster pillows
Honeyrun Farm (June 6): soap, beeswax candles, infused honey, chainsaw bears
Jack Gramann (full season): hand-blown glass pieces
Green Handle Designs (full season): handcrafted jewelry
Handful of Silver (various dates): Handmade silver, bronze and copper jewelry
Susan Henn (1st Sundays): handmade jewelry
Homegrown Handmades (various dates): sugar scrubs, fabric purses, crochet tams
Igloo Letterpress (1st Sundays): letterpress journals, stationery, book kits
Infantaisle (3rd Sundays): baby accessories
Brenda Jennings (3rd Sundays): hand-dyed silk scarves, art quilts
Jennifer Sadler Designs (Aug. 1, Sep. 5, Oct. 3): jewelry
Jewel of the Hound (June 20, Sept. 19): “Pawprints for Charity” pendants and key chains
Patrice Lehocky (3rd Sundays): handbags from upcycled materials
Lilly Belle Studio (July 18): handmade lamp worked beads, fabric wine buckets
MaraM (first Sundays): purses, bags, pouches and accessories all made with recycled materials when possible
Mary Moon Designs (1st Sundays): appliquéd bags, purses, journals and wall hangings
Miss Megan Mac (1st Sundays): hand woven fabrics, hand dyed and painted silk scarves, home décor
Moon Garden (1st Sundays): soaps, lotions, lip balms, bath salts, whipped shea butter and soy candles
Muhu Accessories (various dates): accessories and purses handmade from Peruvian flora
NOLAA Gallery (1st Sundays): original art, prints, cards
Open Door Art Studios (1st Sundays): unique art and handmade gifts
Phosegraphe (various dates): fine art photography
Poshta Stationery & Design (1st Sundays): greeting cards, stationery, bookplates
Rachel Lyndsey Photography (1st Sundays): color and black and white fine art photography
Clinton Reno (3rd Sundays): hand-screened rock posters, art prints, t-shirts
Scarlet Fox Designs (May 16, Oct. 3): wire wrapped and hammered metal jewelry, yoga girl items
Sew Much Fun (1st Sundays): sewn and jeweled accessories for fun
Deborah Shaheed (1st Sundays): handmade jewelry incorporating semi-precious stones
Sheared Bliss (Sep. 19, Oct. 3): needle felted figures, purses, fiber items
SoSam (full season): aprons
Spacedog Studios (1st Sundays): handmade books and bookmarks
Nicki Strouss (full season): ceramic, felt jewelry, hand-bound books
Sweet Stella Designs (various dates): handmade jewelry and accessories - with a confectionery twist
Tiny Magpie Accessories (3rd Sundays): jewelry, necktie scarves, rosette brooches
Danny & Stacy Tompkins (3rd Sundays): woodcrafts, intarsia, matted prints
Umbrella Girl Productions (1st Sundays): handmade scarves, sewn stationery, cards, potholders
Vintage Vamp Jewelry (various dates): artisan jewelry with a vintage twist
Vivisect Apparel (3rd Sundays): men’s and women’s hand-printed organic t-shirts, bags and totes
Voo Doo Cats (full season): cat toys and artwork
The Window Guy (Aug. 15, Oct. 17): hand-painted windows, chalk boards, cabinets
Windy Lane Farm Alpacas (1st Sundays): hand-woven and knitted alpaca items and yarn

Artisan Sundays will be held on the outdoor Farmers’ Market plaza at the North Market from 12 noon until 5 p.m. on the following dates: May 2, May 16, June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5, September 19, October 3 and October 17. For more information please contact Mary Martineau at 614-463-9664 or mmartineau@northmarket.com.

John and Sue Hard moved the production facility of CaJohns Fiery Foods to Westerville last month from the home of their former fire suppression business on the northeast side where they had operated for 13 years.  Their newly renovated facility just off the highway gives them 11,000 square feet of space encompassing offices, a state of the art production kitchen and a warehouse.  The roomy and well-laid-out new digs are key to facilitating the production of approximately 2,000 jars of salsa daily!

Within the walls of the unassuming facade are trophy cases holding some of the more than 350 awards that CaJohns has amassed throughout years of winning at fiery foods competitions across the nation.  The impressive haul includes 48 Golden Chiles (awarded by Chile Pepper Magazine), 6 from the annual Buffalo Wing Festival, 29 Texas Shoot-Out first place prizes garnered at the Texas Fiery Foods Show, and 2 Grand Champion titles from the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival. Needless to say, there are so many accolades that only a portion of them are on display at the office. I’m pretty sure he’s got “a few” at home too.

Another case holds what looks to be more than 100 bottles of hot sauce including CaJohns original line of labels and bottles traded amongst industry folks as personal souvenirs. More bottles can be found on the shelves in CaJohns office, on his desk and generally “around”. Original artwork, commemorative posters and other memorablilia are slowly working their way onto the walls around the facility. Piles of other artwork lean against the walls waiting to be hung. One of these days the place will be an amazing gallery of fiery foods memorabilia as well!

Let’s go on a  little photo tour of the place (put your cursor over the photo for a caption): 

If you want to stop by for a taste or a tour the new factory and store are located here:

816 Green Crest Drive, Westerville, OH 43081

Give them a call and let them know you are coming 614-418-0808.

In a few months when they are all settled they’ll work out the details for accomodating bus tours. In the meantime they are open for small groups.  Check out the place where CaJohns manufactures their 42 flavors of salsa, 56 hot sauces,  and 14 BBQ sauces (not to mention the spice rubs and numerous other items that make up their catalog of 180 products. To support the capsicum cause make sure you purchase a bottle of Holy Jolokia hot sauce. $1 from each purchase goes to support the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University.

Dear North Market Shopper,

There’s a new publication in town and it’s well worth your time to grab a copy.  Edible Columbus hit the newsstands on April 1^st and by all accounts, if you’re committed to local foods this is the magazine for you.

Edible Columbus is part of a network of Edible Publications that are in more than 50 markets in the U.S. and Canada.  With its’ focus on local foods, local markets, local restaurants and the local food scene in general, this is the perfect foodie magazine.

The flagship issue of Edible Columbus has a wonderful feature on David and Cheryl Smith of Bluescreek Farm Meats.  It’s an illuminating article on one of North Market’s finest merchants.  There are also stories about Wayward Seed Farm, a regular at our Saturday Farmers Market and board member, John Dornback, chef/owner of basi italia.  The Greener Grocer’s, Michael Jones even contributes a story on local food systems. 

The natural affinity for North Market related editorial content is a true testament to our community position as a premier local food destination.  For more than 130 years we’ve been Columbus’ local food market.

You can pick up a complementary copy of Edible Columbus at our newsstand on the second floor.  It will come out quarterly, so look for the next issue August 1^st. 

Best wishes to publisher, editor and classically trained chef, as well, Tricia Wheeler.  Tricia will be here on the evening of May 22^nd in the Dispatch Kitchen whipping up some tasty treats for our Annual Apron Gala.

Dave Wible

During the month of April, Jim Siemer will usher in spring with unveiling his new painting titled “North Market in Spring.” Jim will also exhibit his various painting of Ohio scenes. Jim in honored to exhibit his watercolors at North Market because it his favorite destination in Columbus, Ohio.  Jim is a local artist who has been painting watercolors for over 20 years. Since Jim’s family built a cottage up on Middle Bass, Island in the early 80’s, many of his paintings are of Lake Erie scenes. Recently he has been focusing on creating paintings of Columbus and other beautiful places in Ohio.

Jim is a graduate of Bishop Ready High School, where he was first challenged by art teacher Sister Marie Miller to appreciate the wonders of art. Jim graduated from Ohio University, attended Columbus College of Art and Design and Maryland College of Art and Design. Jim has taken several watercolor classes in Ohio, Maryland and Virginia. Jim is a member of the Ohio Art league and a board member of Ohio Citizens for the Arts. Jim’s artwork are can be found in galleries and gift shops in the Lake Erie region and at the Ohio State House Gift shop.

Prints and note cards of Jim Siemer’s watercolors are available at Better Earth in North Market. Jim Siemer can be contacted at jsiemer9@earthlink.net

Two of Columbus’ premiere independent, locally-owned specialty foods markets are returning with an event that debuted with great success last October: Market to Market. The Hills Market and North Market share not only a philosophical connection: one that makes it a priority to provide and promote the best Ohio has to offer to consumers, but also a physical connection: the Olentangy River Greenway (or more commonly, the Olentangy Bike Trial). Join both markets on Saturday, May 1, as they connect to celebrate Ohio-made foodstuffs, the opening of the farmers market and bicycling season with Market to Market: a cross-city local foods-centric bike ride, for amateurs and aficionados alike.

Participants have the option of starting at either market to fuel up with breakfast before embarking on the 13 mile adventure to the market at the other end of the bike trail. Each participating rider will be issued a passport at the beginning of their journey. Bikers can collect stamps along the way by visiting with local vendors and organizations set up along the path including B1 Bicycles, Greenovate, Local Matters, Pattycake Bakery, Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association (OEFFA), Ohio Proud, Opera Columbus, Seagull Bags, Small Business Beanstalk, Sustainable Worthington and Wild Goose Creative. Participants who show completed passports at their destination market will be rewarded with a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and a reusable bag filled with coupons and goodies from local foods purveyors. Those intrepid enough to bike back to their market of origin will receive a completely different bag of goodies, creating a total value of $50 worth of savings and samples. All participating riders will also be entered into a random drawing for a custom messenger bag created by local courier bag gurus Seagull Bags.

But wait! There’s more! Both markets will be hosting activities to provide riders a bit of entertaining “distraction” during each leg of their cycling journey. The Hills Market will leave riders with Polynesian dreams from Kahiki Day: a daylong celebration of Kahiki’s past and present. Hills will demo several of Kahiki’s frozen food products as well as a wide array of Polynesian-themed foods throughout the store from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the Olentangy River Greenway, the North Market will be celebrating the opening of its Farmers Market. Ohio Proud vendors will join the Market’s seasonal farmers in the plaza selling Ohio-made foodstuffs and abundant live entertainment by local musicians will add to the gaiety of that day.

Market to Market will take place on Saturday, May 1. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The cost includes breakfast, a scoop of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (at either location), an event t-shirt and reusable shopping bags from both locations filled with up to $50 worth of savings on Ohio foods. Breakfast will be served at both locations from 8- 10 a.m. to allow for riders to eat and set out on the trail at their leisure. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams will be available at both locations upon ride completion. Registration can be made online HERE> or by phone by calling 614-846-3220 (The Hills Market) or 614-463-9664 (North Market), or in person at either location beginning April 2.