Location:
North Market
59 Spruce Street
Columbus, OH 43215-1622
(614) 463-9664
This Summer will be one of adventure and investigation. Instead of spending mass amounts of time warming up the couch cushions, I’m going to head out and stoke my brain fires with a culinary prod. First in the series is the North Market, located on the edge of the Short North and Area Districts in Downtown Columbus. This first article will be an overview of the entire place and each week or so I will choose individual vendors to focus on.
From the North Market Website, a short description and history:
When you arrive in the parking lot of the North Market, it feels a little intimidating, but without true reason. The 44,000 square foot, two-story building is surrounded by a few trees and lots of buildings, with a smattering of lunch-goers dotting the steps leading up to innocent double doors. Perhaps it’s the history you can feel radiating from the area, or maybe it’s the thought that beyond those innocent doors lie a surplus of goodness and plenty of places to blow your paycheck. Upon entry, there’s usually a sign for you to read, listing that month or season’s events – there are cooking classes, wine tastings, live music, and so forth – and beyond the sign, a virtual wall of people meandering through the isles.
North Market
59 Spruce Street
Columbus, OH 43215-1622
(614) 463-9664
This Summer will be one of adventure and investigation. Instead of spending mass amounts of time warming up the couch cushions, I’m going to head out and stoke my brain fires with a culinary prod. First in the series is the North Market, located on the edge of the Short North and Area Districts in Downtown Columbus. This first article will be an overview of the entire place and each week or so I will choose individual vendors to focus on.
From the North Market Website, a short description and history:
“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.” About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2010, from http://www.northmarket.com/about-us.
When you arrive in the parking lot of the North Market, it feels a little intimidating, but without true reason. The 44,000 square foot, two-story building is surrounded by a few trees and lots of buildings, with a smattering of lunch-goers dotting the steps leading up to innocent double doors. Perhaps it’s the history you can feel radiating from the area, or maybe it’s the thought that beyond those innocent doors lie a surplus of goodness and plenty of places to blow your paycheck. Upon entry, there’s usually a sign for you to read, listing that month or season’s events – there are cooking classes, wine tastings, live music, and so forth – and beyond the sign, a virtual wall of people meandering through the isles.
The North Market is not for the faint-of-heart. It is an intense place, reminiscent of old-timey outdoor markets missing only the yell of vendors and fish in newspaper flying through the air. The ceiling is open to reveal steel beams and a sort-of catwalk that goes around the perimeter of the building. This “catwalk” is actually the second floor dining and offices area, a quiet place to sit and talk while you slurp your Vietnamese Soup. The first floor is where all the vendors are located, and if you’re not careful you can lose yourself in the first few steps.
From CaJohn’s Flavor & Fire, a hot-sauce vendor who makes everything from scratch right here in Ohio, to Pam’s Market Popcorn, turning left upon arriving will awaken the senses immediately. Most vendors have samples readily available or are willing to have you try whatever it is you’re interested in. Around the bend on the south wall is Omega Artisan Baking, and you can find fresh crusty bread samples ready with olive oil on any given day. Keep going and there’s more to be seen and smelled – Best of the Wurst, Nidia’s Sushi, and Flavors of India. The best plan of action when visiting the North Market is to walk around the perimeter once, hit up the middle isles next, then go back to the beginning and do it all over again. I’ve found that if you try to tackle this place without exploring it first you will be lost and overwhelmed. There are 35 different vendors in the North Market and each one deserves a few moments of your time to really shine.
Overall Scores: (1-5, 1 being lowest, 5 highest)
Cleanliness: 4
Value: *varies*
Accessibility: 3
Friendliness: *varies*
Menu: *varies*
1 comment:
We went a few times before having Sage. It is definitely the culinary mecca for Central Ohio. It is a culinary trip around the world. When I need a special seasoning or herb and can't find it even at Whole Foods Danny can always find it there.
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