Update!  Vendor List Revised on August 13, 2018

During the summer months, the Springfield Farmer’s Market sets up shop downtown outside the Heritage Center.  With vendors lining the side pedestrian area, the  market brings visitors here each Saturday from 9 AM to 12:30 PM.

I had the opportunity to visit the Market on its opening day and was excited to see the diversity in products that were available.  From baked goods to produce, local services and artwork, this venue is the perfect location for learning about some of the small businesses that are helping to revive the economy of Springfield.  The Painted Pepper, a well known food truck from town, was on hand for visitors to purchase breakfast items.

Here is just a small list of wonderful vendors that I met during my visit:

Slice of Heaven Bakery

En.Jamb.Ment

Davidson Family Growers

Sobaby Jam Company

Stevens Bakery and Orchard

Robin’s Nest Granola

Champion City Jam

Additional services and products were provided by:

• OSU Food Training
• Baker’s Vegetable Market and Greenhouse 
• MAD Sweet Heat
• Wags N Wiggles
• The Lady Mugs
• Classy Trash
• Little Hoot’s Boutique
• Birth Photography
• On the Rise 
• Covered Wagon Farm Market
• Meyer’s Premier Berries
• Mawmaw’s Gardens
• Reaver Farms
• Blue Jacket Dairy
• The Hippie and the Farmer
• Annabelle’s Blooms 
• Friends Cupcakery
• Mama Nola’s Pies
• Unbelievable Bakery
• Jenny’s Sweet Shop
• PURE by Mimi
• Hope Essentials 
• Joyce Gerhardt
• Ladybugs
• VOICE Birth Options
• One Hundred Feathers
• Alisa Domer
• Russell Shatto
• Connie Chappell
• Wanda Harris

One of the great advantages of shopping at The Springfield Farmer’s Market, is that they make it easier for those on federal food assistance programs to use their benefits at the market by using tokens and with the use of EBT.

Unbeknownst to many local Springfielders, the downtown Springfield Farmer’s Market was first established in the late 1800s.  After the completion of the new city building by Oliver S. Kelly (today’s Heritage Building), the first floor was designated as the location for the new city market, which replaced the old market house.

The opening of the City Building and Market included “parades, opening exercises and the illumination of natural gas standpipes and arches”. The event was covered nationally as over 40,000 people joined in the festivities.  It was a grand night for the city of Springfield.

Over the years, the market assigned stalls to vendors where they would bring their produce, meats and items for sale.  It was described as having an “accumulated fragrance of the…annual crops of pork and cabbage – not always the freshest – ascended to the upper floor – and where the fumes of tobacco and possibly stronger stimulants, penetrated from the time-honored Springfield forum to the vicinity of the market stalls…”

I can imagine that the Springfield Farmer’s Market would have been similar to a small version of the North Market in Columbus, Ohio.  Measuring only 50 x 500 feet, each vendor was provided with a permit authorizing him to sell his merchandise.  A copy of this permit can be seen at the Clark County Historical Society located in the Heritage Center.

Establishing the rebirth of Springfield’s Farmer’s Market has added a level of depth to the revitalization of this once prosperous town.  The downtown continues to add a number of new businesses and restaurants and the Farmer’s Market has only added to the growing attraction to my hometown of Springfield.

Have you had the opportunity to visit the Springfield Farmer’s Market?  What items did you purchase?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Springfield Farmer’s Market (Heritage Center)
117 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone:  937 207 1950

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Springfield Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone:  937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

The Painted Pepper Food Truck
Telephone: 937 969 0877

I ordered the breakfast burrito with extra jalapenos and it was amazing!

More favorite Springfield eateries:

• Schuler’s Donuts:   Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
• Simon Kenton Inn:  This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue.  With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
• Guerra’s Krazy Tacos:  One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
• Salato Deli:  I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
• Le Torte Dolci Bakery;  Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
• Mike & Rosie’s Deli:  This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink: 

• Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company: Springfield’s only brewery, Mother Stewart’s showcases nine craft beers produced onsite.

What to Read:

• The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
• Springfield, Ohio:  A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
• Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
• Still Standing:  A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
• Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:  

• Hartman Rock Garden
• Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
• Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
• Heritage Center of Clark County
• Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs (seasonal sunflowers)
• Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
• Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio