The newly renovated Newark Arcade is not just revitalizing downtown, it’s also giving local businesses a boost as host of the Canal Market District’s first-ever winter farmers market.
Vendors and community leaders say the move to a year-round market is already benefiting small businesses and increasing Newark citizen’s access to fresh, locally sourced goods.
“When we found out The Arcade was going to be renovated, we decided to bring our outdoor winter market indoors in The Arcade so it could be year-round,” said Bailey McCoy, executive director of the Canal Market District. “It was very easy to find vendors that wanted to sell year-round. We have a lot of support from shoppers in our outdoor market, so we suspect people will be eager to support the indoor market as well.”
Read more: Renovated historic Newark Arcade to host Canal Market indoor winter market
The Canal Market District’s winter market is open Fridays from 4-7 p.m. beginning Jan. 24 and ending on April 28. It provides vendors with a consistent location to sell their products throughout the winter season. For farmers and small business owners, this is a great opportunity to maintain sales even during the colder months.
Jim Simmons, a farmer from Gambier, Ohio, has seen a positive impact since participating in the indoor market.
“This is the first one we’ve done this year, and it’s been great so far,” Simmons said. “We’ve been busy and done really well. I have regular customers that’ll come back every Friday.”
Simmons, who sells beef, believes the market’s stability will keep his business strong throughout the winter.
The winter market also benefits sustainable businesses like Desco Collective, a company dedicated to reducing single-use plastics. Co-founder Kevin Hoerauf emphasized how important the additional sales days are for his business.
“My main source of customers is working farmers markets, but obviously, that slows down a lot in the wintertime,” he said. “Keeping Fridays going in Newark was a big thing for sure. It gives people opportunities to not only have to battle everybody on Saturday morning… They can come out here after work.”
The market plays a significant role beyond directly benefiting vendors by bolstering the broader Newark economy. According to McCoy, the increased foot traffic supports nearby restaurants and retailers.
“What we hear from shoppers is that in most cases, people come down to the farmers market and also end up spending money in at least one of the businesses or restaurants on the square,” McCoy said. “It really brings mutual benefit to have just more attractions for people to come to in downtown Newark.”
The farmers market has also played a role in addressing food insecurity in the community. McCoy highlighted that the market accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and participates in the Produce Perks program, which doubles SNAP transactions up to $25.
“We see a really high utilization of SNAP at the farmers market,” she said. “A lot of people in our community who receive benefits are using them here.”
Read more: Canal Market District Farmers Market organizers combat Licking County food insecurity through SNAP
The winter farmers market opened shortly after the highly anticipated reopening of The Arcade, a 116-year-old building that underwent a $20 million renovation. The grand opening drew hundreds of visitors, filling the streets of downtown Newark with energy from past decades.
Read more: Hundreds flock to see renovated Arcade and indoor farmers’ market
The enthusiastic crowd surrounding the reopening showed how much love Newark citizens have for local businesses and fresh foods in the community.
The Newark Arcade’s ability to host the Canal District’s Winter Farmers Market has benefited more than just the locals.
“We continually see our average market attendance and sales for vendors go up each year,” McCoy said. “Adding this indoor market for the first time was a huge growth for the market to go from being only six months long to year-round.”
For many small businesses, this change represents a much-needed opportunity to build financial stability and grow their customer base. Hoerauf, who started Desco Collective in 2020, hopes that the indoor market will continue to attract eco-conscious consumers.
“Honestly, just come on out if people are local or from out of town… Support all the locals,” he said.
The winter market is also an important addition for artisans and local food vendors, especially those making sweet treats like Chocolate House LLC. Lisa House began her candy-making business in her own home and has expanded significantly in recent years.
“I’ve been making candy since my kids were little,” she said. “But turning it into a business in 2018 changed everything. The farmers market, especially this indoor one, is making a big difference for us.”
As the Canal Market District continues to draw a crowd in Newark, vendors remain optimistic about its future.
“It’s more opportunities, more days that they can sell each year, and it continues the community’s connection with the market year-round as well,” McCoy said.
The Canal Market District’s winter market will continue to operate in The Arcade’s main corridor every Friday through April, offering residents and visitors a chance to shop locally and support Newark’s growing small business community.
Noah Lebowitz writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.