We went here for the trick or treating and my kids had a blast. Cool place, great people.
Wanted gift card .It had to be either collectables or good. I didn't buy a card, I assumed you could use the card for either NOT
SO I DIDN'T GET ONE.
I have been a visitor to The Market Place since it opened and have always had a positive experience! Now I'm a vendor providing options for those having difficulty hearing and I have met and helped many customers thanks to the opportunity Marion and Seth have given me!! If you haven't experienced it for yourself please this place a visit!
Hartville is great. Has fresh produce from local farmers. Specialty shops. Bakery & deli. Hartville has everything.
Always finding bargins. Cool pace to spend a few hours or the day. Never know what you might find.
Rather than reviewing the Marketplace with a single visit, this post reflects perhaps 10 visits over this past summer:
I've been visiting the Hartville Marketplace for more than 30 years, starting back when the market was across the street behind the old Hartville Kitchen and abutting Byler's Flea Market. Building the new Marketplace, Hartville Kitchen, Hardware and other stores firmly cemented this complex as a major tourist destination in the region, and the place to go to purchase discounted well, everything.
Through the years after this auspicious beginning, the market's volume of vendors and customers has slowly dwindled to a regular stream of older guests with a smattering of younger families. This appears to have caused change in the vendor makeup both inside and out of the main building, because fewer hard-spending guests means less money for the vendors, and you can't pay rent with money you don't earn. I get this, I do. Flea markets across this region are facing the same issue.
As I look back on this summer at the Market, I observed that many traditional vendors that traveled from out of the area to the Market have disappeared or appeared less frequently, and many of the vendors that I formerly frequented (produce, meat, groceries) have either left the market or significantly raised prices to the point that local stores and farm markets are less expensive. People used to drive out to the Market and leave with both arms full of meats and produce; This appears to no longer be the norm. At the produce stands, A quart container with 5-8 pieces of fruit or vegetables for $3 is just not a value to the customers. The grocery store has moved on, and the current meat market is heading out this month. All of the usual Flea Market standards are still in residence: Dollar Store items, antiques, clothing and bric-a-brac appear regularly, but few vendors report that business is good, with too many commenting that this might be their last year as a vendor.
I did observe that the recent addition of amazing non-holiday weekend speciaI events (Maker's Fair, Bike Show) are breathing new life back into the Marketplace, possibly offering it a second life as a Flea Market AND as an Exposition Center, as more younger families appeared and showed interest in the new events package as a event destination, not just a Flea Market. I would visit more often on the weekends if there was more than just the same Flea Market I visit on Mondays.
So perhaps all is not lost. I would also love to local outside food trucks/modern food options and less Market-operated fast food at the Market, as this is not currently available, and the younger crowd (18-40) is looking for something more in their food choices than a pre-prepared cafeteria line. When you look at who is seated in the dining area, something is missing.
When planning a visit, expect to spend about 2 hours at the Marketplace, then plan some lunch and visit some of the other shops and attractions in the Hartville area. You should arrive between 8-10 AM, as many vendors begin to pack up by 2 PM if sales are light. Plenty of parking is available around the Market; Do not park in any aisles where vendors are present, and do not drive in active vendor aisles. Enjoy!
I miss the old days when it was in the big field up and across the street, a lot more cool finds and stuff, now it's just a business with new junk.
Love love love this place.. Everything you could possibly need is here. Fabulous fresh and amazing produce food and groceries!! Largest flea market I've ever been to. One of the best places to visit in Ohio.
I had a good time. Met some nice people and made a little money. The staff was accomidating always smiling and extremely service oriented. Exactly what Hartville is famous for
They have a very nice meat market inside and great looking produce. Very nice shops.
Great shops and amazing people. Check out the guy selling candles outside! They are unique, different, and cheap. Plus get $3 off when you return used candle to get the next one. Some stores are expensive, but others are interesting and great to check out. Lots of parking, cheap meats, too. If you're from out of town, be sure to bring a cooler!
Shopping galore. Clothes, specialty foods, jams, jellies, purses, jewelry, Himalayan salt lamps, Pet care, Massages, Flavored Olive Oils and balsamic vinegars. . Outside vendors market as well. Need to go back more than once a month.
I guess I was expecting more of a swap-meet/antique flea/handmade goods market than what this is. Its set up as booths but its a lot of it was random stuff - a couple aromatherapy booths with the ever popular salt lamps, a couple booths of people selling services (roofing, heating/cooling, etc), clothing, primitive goods, etc. There are a couple booths selling food to mix it up a little. There is a large booth in the upstairs that has some antiques and reclaimed items that definitely left me wanting more. Not sure that I would come back - at least not when the outside flea marketing isn't open.
You can always count on the Hartville Flea Market. Get there early and spend a few hours. That's what it's going to take you to see all of the vendors. There's a HUGE variety of things. You never know what you're going to find. Bring some cash. Duma's meats is there and they are the best local butcher shop. You can also get great great prices on local produce. Hartville is the best!