North Market: History

History

Since 1876, the North Market has been home to local butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and farmers. Over the years, our merchant offerings have expanded to include ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries and unique gifts. We are proud of our rich, community history and would like to share our story!

Before 1876, the location of the original North Market, was the city's public cemetery, "The North Graveyard". This public space at 29 Spruce Street became the North Market. The North Market was the second of four public markets built throughout the city (North, East, West and Central) and is the only remaining public market.

The Central Market, built in 1850 at Town and Fourth Streets as a combination City Hall and public market, was torn down in 1966 to make way for urban renewal and today is the location of Columbus' Greyhound bus station. The building once housing the West Market on South Gift Street is now a Boys and Girls Club. The East Market at Mt. Vernon and Miami Avenues was destroyed by a fire in 1947.

In 1948, almost one year to the day of the fire at the East Market, the same tragedy struck to the North Market (or North End Market as it was then called). The City of Columbus decided not to rebuild the market but merchants quickly pooled their funds to purchase a war surplus Quonset hut to house the North Market. Though the merchants bought the building, the city retained ownership of the Market property.

The vitality of the Market began to wane post World War II as population shifted from the city to the suburbs and the development of supermarkets. The building of the Ohio Center and the temporary closing of High Street in the late 1970's caused the Market to hit rock bottom. Attempts to revive the once thriving institution were thwarted by the physical and mechanical limitations of the Quonset hut. The Market was operating on a month-to-month lease with the city. The future was far from secure.

During the 1980's a national, growing recognition of public markets emerged. This enabled Columbus residents to rediscover their market. That idea, along with the fear that the city would tear down the Market to develop of a parking lot for the planned Greater Columbus Convention Center, drove 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." In 1988, NMDA led the Market's recovery by negotiating a long-term lease with the city, effectively eliminating the threat of demolition. In 1989, the NMDA assumed daily operations of the market.

The initial staff of a Market Master and Executive Director, plus volunteer board members, the NMDA focused on the possibility of rehabilitating the Quonset hut. Physically bursting at the seams and on its last legs, the building was financially impractical to renovate. Even if the costly and extensive repairs were made, the Market would still be housed in a cramped Quonset hut, rather than a light, clean, functional marketplace.

A crucial breakthrough came in December 1992 when Nationwide Insurance agreed to sell the former Advanced Thresher warehouse at 59 Spruce Street to the city for the North Market. The turn-of-the-century farm implements warehouse was ideal for redeveloping the Market.

The NMDA spearheaded a capital campaign to finance building renovations. The Market's new home would be 60 percent larger than the Quonset hut with room for new merchants. After raising $5 million, the NMDA began construction in January 1995. In November 1995, the new North Market opened with 25 merchants.

Today, one million customers visit the North Market annually. The merchant community, farmers, board and staff have all grown. The NMDA employs an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Director of Marketing and Office Manager. As it always has, the North Market serves as a gathering place to shop, eat, mingle and people watch.

We are proud to be an incubator for small businesses and will continue to serve central Ohio with tremendous selection, unsurpassed freshness and free advice.


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History Since 1876, the North Market has been home to local butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and farmers. Over the years, our merchant offerings have expanded to include ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries and unique gifts. We are proud of our rich, community history and would like to share our story! Before 1876, the location of the original North Market, was the city's public cemetery, "The North Graveyard". This public space at 29 Spruce Street became the North Market. The North Market was the second of four public markets built throughout the city (North, East, West and Central) and is the only remaining public market. The Central Market, built in 1850 at Town and Fourth Streets as a combination City Hall and public market, was torn down in 1966 to make way for urban renewal and today is the location of Columbus' Greyhound bus station. The building once housing the West Market on South Gift Street is now a Boys and Girls Club. The East Market at Mt. Vernon and Miami Avenues was destroyed by a fire in 1947. In 1948, almost one year to the day of the fire at the East Market, the same tragedy struck to the North Market (or North End Market as it was then called). The City of Columbus decided not to rebuild the market but merchants quickly pooled their funds to purchase a war surplus Quonset hut to house the North Market. Though the merchants bought the building, the city retained ownership of the Market property. The vitality of the Market began to wane post World War II as population shifted from the city to the suburbs and the development of supermarkets. The building of the Ohio Center and the temporary closing of High Street in the late 1970's caused the Market to hit rock bottom. Attempts to revive the once thriving institution were thwarted by the physical and mechanical limitations of the Quonset hut. The Market was operating on a month-to-month lease with the city. The future was far from secure. During the 1980's a national, growing recognition of public markets emerged. This enabled Columbus residents to rediscover their market. That idea, along with the fear that the city would tear down the Market to develop of a parking lot for the planned Greater Columbus Convention Center, drove 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." In 1988, NMDA led the Market's recovery by negotiating a long-term lease with the city, effectively eliminating the threat of demolition. In 1989, the NMDA assumed daily operations of the market. The initial staff of a Market Master and Executive Director, plus volunteer board members, the NMDA focused on the possibility of rehabilitating the Quonset hut. Physically bursting at the seams and on its last legs, the building was financially impractical to renovate. Even if the costly and extensive repairs were made, the Market would still be housed in a cramped Quonset hut, rather than a light, clean, functional marketplace. A crucial breakthrough came in December 1992 when Nationwide Insurance agreed to sell the former Advanced Thresher warehouse at 59 Spruce Street to the city for the North Market. The turn-of-the-century farm implements warehouse was ideal for redeveloping the Market. The NMDA spearheaded a capital campaign to finance building renovations. The Market's new home would be 60 percent larger than the Quonset hut with room for new merchants. After raising $5 million, the NMDA began construction in January 1995. In November 1995, the new North Market opened with 25 merchants. Today, one million customers visit the North Market annually. The merchant community, farmers, board and staff have all grown. The NMDA employs an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Director of Marketing and Office Manager. As it always has, the North Market serves as a gathering place to shop, eat, mingle and people watch. We are proud to be an incubator for small businesses and will continue to serve central Ohio with tremendous selection, unsurpassed freshness and free advice.