Market Watch: Findlay Market May Update

By Kurt Myers on May 8, 2008 9:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Greetings from Findlay Market
Cheryl Eagleson, Marketing Director

Two weeks ago Cincinnati hosted the Society of Architectural Historians conference. Architreks conducted tours through our wonderful Over-the-Rhine to show off the collection of amazing buildings and districts of Italianate architecture. Naturally, many attendees made their way to Findlay Market. Why? Because of the significance of the Market's historical relevance to the city of Cincinnati's economic and cultural development.

One of the attendees was Helen Tangires, author of Public Markets: A Norton/Library of Congress Sourcebook. In fact, she spent several hours at the Market on Saturday selling and signing copies of this book. She was delighted to listen to shoppers tell stories of the many public markets they visited in their travels or remembrances of their hometown markets.

This brings me to my suggestion for a quick and interesting set of history lessons the next time you visit the market.

As you walk through the Market, look for three Ohio Historical Society markers. These beautiful markers tell stories of the Market and neighborhood history. Each is a fascinating and easy read that opens up an important bit of local history as you stand in the Market square. The markers, mounted on low posts, contain text of a topic of interest on each side of the marker itself.

What are they and where are they located?

Race and South Elder Streets: Cincinnati Public Markets (northside)/The Northern Liberties (south side)

Elm and Elder Streets: Findlay Market (south side)/General James Findlay (north side)

South Elder and Pleasant Streets: Anti-

German Hysteria (both sides)

I think you will be surprised and delighted at what you learn and your shopping experience will be enriched, knowing more about Cincinnati's living landmark - Findlay Market.

Enjoy the weekend and we will see you at the Market!

PS: For more information about Helen's book, visit the Norton Publishers web page: www.norton.com/npb/nparch/073167.html.

Lately, the weekends at Findlay Market are rain and shine! Regardless, shoppers and visitors alike are enjoying browsing through fresh flowers and bedding plants in the farmers market and along the rollup door spaces called Grow West. Temperatures are mild and familiar faces are returning to spend some time on Saturdays and Sundays in the festive atmosphere of Market in springtime.

The Queen City Bike Depot is open, inviting cyclists to take a weekend ride to the Market and learn more about cycling groups. Market Wines is offering casual and inexpensive wine and beer tastings on Saturdays.

May also brings out the gardener in many of us. It is that time when digging in the dirt creates the anticipation of looking out the window one sunny morning to see colorful flowers, blooming bedding plants and whatever your garden grows. So, mark your calendar for the 5th annual Findlay Market Garden Festival to be held on Sunday, May 18, 2008.

Here is your chance to purchase reasonably priced bedding plants and more from the participating farmers and greenhouses. Stop by an information booth and ask the experts your gardening and recycling questions. Pick up some fresh salsa or some interesting garden furniture and accessories for your deck or patio. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

Here is a line up of the educational activities, cooking demonstration and entertainment in store:

Activities:

Plein Air Artists through out the market
Tai Chi demonstrations through out the event

Information Booths:

Greater Cincinnati Master Gardeners Association
Boone County Arboretum
Civic Garden Center
Cincinnati Horticultural Society Nutrition Consultant/Lifestyle Coach Jennifer Woods
Hamilton County Solid Waste Management
Garden Fresh Delivered,grocery subscription information

Food and Craft Vendors: