Marion Ohio Downtown

DOWNTOWN MARION MARKET

SET TO RESUME FRIDAY

MARION, OH – The Downtown Marion Market was off a week due to the Marion Popcorn Festival, but will resume this Friday, September 14. Markets will run from 4 – 7 p.m. every Friday through October 12.

In what is described as an open air market atmosphere, vendors set up on the sidewalks beginning at the corner of Main and Center streets near the Ohio State Bank and former PNC Bank locations and move west on Center Street. Setting up on the sidewalks, organizers felt, would leave plenty of parking spaces on the street open for those coming to the Downtown Market.

“This has been fairly successful for a first-time venture,” said Karen Herr, manager of Downtown Marion. “We decided to include anything handmade, homemade or homegrown and that has given the Downtown Marion Market a nice variety with something that interests most everyone.” According to Herr, vendors’ wares include tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, honey, green beans, pies, breads, pumpkin breads, jewelry, quilts, noodles, cookies, scent tarts, hair accessories, mums, Amish rugs, and even hula hoops.

According to Herr, in the past Downtown Marion was the place to be on Friday nights … the streets were packed with both shoppers and social events. “We can’t totally recreate that atmosphere from the 1950s or ‘60s,” said Herr, “but what we can do is provide a venue to encourage people to come and experience Downtown Marion as it is now. It’s come a long way in the past 10 years and we want people to have a share in the revitalization of Downtown Marion.”

Herr noted there are a variety of restaurants within a short distance of the market, including Baires and Maury’s on Main, both on South Main Street, The Candy Shack & Café inside Charleston Place, Infinity in the historic Harding Hotel, and the Warehouse located in the former inter urban railway building on West Center. She also indicated that many of the stores will be having sidewalk sales, as well. “You can come early,” said Herr, “and visit Heritage Hall and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum … then visit the market … do a little shopping … grab a bite to eat ... and top off the evening by going to the Palace Theatre as there is generally an event or movie most Friday evenings.


“My mantra has been, ‘Where you eat, shop and play matters … do it locally,’” said Herr. “The Downtown Marion Market provides the perfect opportunity to do all three.”

For further information, or if you are interested in becoming a vendor, call Herr at 740-382-2181 or event coordinator Cindy Charpie at 740-361-2940. Downtown Marion, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is the revitalization of Downtown Marion as a vibrant central hub for the community.