Dueling Markets
Columbus consumers crave local products
By Steve Croyle |
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Columbus is home to a number of farmers markets, temporary street side affairs with multiple local vendors peddling home-grown wares plucked from their own backyards, but on on North High Street, nary more than 3 miles apart, two markets are waging all-out war against each other for control of the North Side every Saturday from 9 a.m. 'til noon, rain or shine. Worthington vs. Clintonville. Two markets enter, one market leaves. There ain't enough room in these parts for the two of 'em. Right?
"I wouldn't say that we're competing," said Clintonville Market Manager Laura Zimmerman. "There's a very large demand for local products."
In spite of Worthington's juggernaut, which was founded in 1987, just a few minutes to the north, Clintonville's market has thrived since its inception in 2003. Initially, the Clintonville market hosted about a dozen producers (market lingo for veggie vendor); now they feature 40 spots between 3489 and 3535 North High Street. Laura notes that there are actually 56 producers associated with the market, but several of them share spots over the course of the season.
A quick inspection of the asparagus offered by Wishwell farms revealed that it had been cut only hours earlier. Strawberries offered by a number of producers also bore telltale signs of recent plucking. Visitors can also find freshly baked artisan breads, delicious pastries, and handmade cheeses. Farm eggs and locally produced meats are also readily available. Selection varies based on season, but the quality is always high, and it's not unusual to see lines form.
"Clintonville really appreciates sustainable products," Laura said. "Feedback from the producers is really good."
The Olde Worthington Farmers Market is central Ohio's largest outdoor vegetable-oriented emporium. Vendors line both sides of North High Street just south of Rt. 161, and many of the businesses alter their hours to accommodate the additional foot traffic. For instance, The Old Bag of Nails Pub (663 N High St.) breaks from corporate form to offer breakfast on the weekend.
Melinda Rhodes, of Melinda's Marvelous Morsels, is a market member who travels from Zanesville every Saturday to peddle her pastries. She has watched the market grow over the years. "We just have to be careful to manage it," she said. "We need to make sure that the community can support us."
So far, it seems to be going well. John Wiley, of Up the Lane Grass Fed Beef Farm, said the Worthington Market is all he can handle right now. Kyla Touris started Sweet Thing Gourmet in 2003 with four varieties of jam, a card table, and a patio umbrella.
"We just wanted to make enough money to keep the kids out of daycare," Touris said. "Now we go to four markets a week, and it's a fulltime family operation."
Kyla's husband, Mark, sets up a table at the Clintonville Market while Kyla handles things up in Worthington. He joined the venture full-time when his nine-to-five fell victim to a tough economy. They now have more varieties of jam, and have expanded their business to include online sales - dispelling my rumors of competition. Farmers market vendors, like their patrons, are simply thrilled that fresh, local produce is available: a far cry from capitalistic notions of jugger-competition.
Originally Published: August 1, 2009
