This year, the iconic North Market is celebrating a major milestone: 150 years in operation.
As part of the celebration, the market is releasing a limited-edition anniversary beer, brewed in collaboration with Seventh Son Brewing Co.
The beer, called 1876 North Market Lager, is a light-bodied, easy-drinking lager that will be available starting April 14. You’ll be able to find it at spots like The Barrel and Bottle inside North Market, as well as at Seventh Son and select local retailers.
It’s a fitting way to celebrate a place that’s always been about bringing people together.
A Market That Survived Just About Everything
North Market dates back to 1876, when it opened on the site of what had previously been a cemetery known as the North Graveyard. It was one of four public markets built across Columbus at the time. Today, it’s the only one left.
The market has gone through a lot to get here. A fire destroyed the original building in 1948. Instead of rebuilding right away, merchants pooled their money to keep things going in a temporary Quonset hut. Later, as supermarkets spread and downtown traffic declined, the market struggled to stay afloat. At one point, its future wasn’t guaranteed.
That changed in the late 1980s, when a group of merchants and community members formed the North Market Development Authority to preserve it. Their efforts led to a new, permanent home in 1995, transforming a former warehouse into the market space that still stands today.
Still Growing After 150 Years
Walk through the market now and you’ll find around 35 vendors, covering everything from prepared food to specialty goods to fresh meat, seafood, and produce.
In 2020, the concept expanded with North Market Bridge Park, bringing a more modern version of the market to Dublin and introducing a new group of vendors. The updated branding rolling out this year is meant to reflect both sides of that story: a long history, and a market that’s still evolving.
The anniversary beer is just the start. More events and celebrations are planned throughout the year, all centered around the people who have kept the market going for a century and a half. You can learn more about what they’ve got planned, including The 150 Year Celebration Apron Gala on May 15, right here.
For a place that’s been around this long, that kind of momentum says a lot.
Featured image by Ɱ – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link.
