Central Ohio city announces winter-long indoor farmers market for the first time

The Hilliard Farmers Market is headed inside.

The Central Ohio marketplace announced that it will launch an indoor winter market that will run weekly throughout the cold weather season. The Downtown Hilliard Winter Market will be held in The Makoy, an event venue located at 5462 Center St. The new indoor market will take place every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m., throughout the winter season.

The very first indoor winter market takes place today.

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According to secretary Kyle Benzle, the Hilliard Farmers Market, a non-profit organization, was created this year, and held its inaugural markets this summer and fall. Benzle, owner of Demeter Family Farm, and friend Ben Lias from Liege Belgian Waffles, were both longtime farmers market vendors, and the duo wanted to create a new marketplace that was focused on uplifting local vendors.

“For a lot of other markets, you would have to pay up front for the entire year, and if you miss two or three markets they kick you out. So a lot of these markets are making a lot money from application fees, from farmers and small business owners like us,” he said. “We’re vendor-owned and operated, and every vendor that sells for us also becomes a voting member.”

Benzle said the first indoor market will have approximately 20 vendors, although he expects more to sign on as the season continues.

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