Work is now underway to open a second location of the North Market in Dublin’s Bridge Park development. Headed for the ground floor at 6736 Longshore St., it’ll debut in the spring of 2020.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the historic North Market to continue its mission of incubating small businesses and celebrating best in class culinary experiences,” said Rick Harrison Wolfe, North Market Executive Director, in a press release. “We are excited about expanding our footprint in the Central Ohio region.”
Under the management of the North Market Development Authority, Crawford Hoying, and the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, this second public market will carry on the North Market’s 143-year mission of providing fresh foods like produce, meat, fish, poultry and dairy. Other products will include flowers, baked goods, gifts, beer, wine and spirits, and prepared foods.
The 30,000 square foot space will be divided into front and back of house areas, with 20,000 square feet dedicated to merchant stalls, and the rest used for loading docks. The direct indoor and outdoor access will accommodate small and large events as well.
“We’ve been excited for the opportunity to design this second location from the ground up,” said Jeff Pongonis, Board of Trustees President at North Market Development Authority. “Throughout the process, we’ve been careful yet excited to honor the essence of what North Market is and has been while taking advantage of the opportunities a brand new facility has to offer.”
Wolf says this expansion could bring back a public market system the region hasn’t seen in years.
“Columbus once had a market system with a total of four public markets. North Market is the last remaining. We would love to resurrect that type of system in Central Ohio,” said Wolfe. “A public market is a civic resource for everyone in the community. Our hope is that public markets can once again become a driving force in our communities.”
The North Market is now reviewing merchants for the location at Bridge Park. Interested vendors can apply at northmarket.com/newmerchantinquiry.
