The 2nd Street Market, 600 E. Second Street in downtown Dayton, will offer extended hours through the holiday season, including Sunday hours. Featuring fresh, local food; pantry staples; and hand-crafted items, the Market offers a one-stop shopping experience where visitors can grab lunch and shop for groceries and gifts.
The Market will be open the day before Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) for its annual Stock Up Wednesday event. Additionally, the Market also will be open on Sundays through the end of 2019. The hours for Stock Up Wednesday and on Sunday are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Extended Market hours give shoppers the chance to pick up holiday meal essentials — most of them locally produced — as well as flowers, wreaths and much more. Offerings include:
- Fresh, local fare: Locally grown produce, artisan breads, prepared desserts, and local meat and dairy products
- Specialty food items: Olive oils, vinegars, jams, salsas, teas, jellies, candy, chocolate
- Holiday décor: Handmade holiday wreaths, ornaments and flowers
- Artisan gifts: Pottery, fabric arts, woodworking items, jewelry and glass art
“The Market is really all about community, and that’s why there’s a really warm, festive feeling during this time of the year,” said Market Manager, Lynda Suda. “By extending hours and offering special seasonal events, we hope to provide visitors with more time to shop, support local farmers and businesses, and make the holidays special.”
Special Events at the Market
Enjoy an adult evening out for some DIY fun or take the entire family to meet Santa during the following events this December:
- ARTISAN NIGHT: Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Join your favorite Market vendors for an evening of art, music, food and shopping. A variety of vendors will be offering creative mini workshops as well.
Photo Credit: Five River MetroParks
- SANTA VISITS THE MARKET: Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Stop by the Market to grab lunch, listen to music and snap a family photo with Santa.
Equitable Eats
Homefull, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness, is at the Market Thursdays through Sundays providing SNAP tokens to those who utilize EBT benefits. More than 25 vendors accept SNAP tokens in addition to Produce Perks, a matching program that reimburses up to $20 for those who use their EBT benefits on fresh produce.
“No matter what your culture or family traditions are, food is always a really big part of the holidays,” said Suda. ”Creating equitable access to fresh food is important to us during the holiday season and year-round.”
Photo Credit: Five River MetroParks
The 2nd Street Market is home to more than 50 small business vendors. Open year-round on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays (through Dec. 30) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Market is a Five Rivers MetroParks location.
Conservation Mission
By providing the community access to fresh, local food — which is less taxing on the environment and often healthier — the Market supports Five Rivers MetroParks’ mission to protect the region’s natural heritage.
New this year, Market customers can support this conservation mission by dropping off old or broken holiday lights to be recycled at the 2nd Street Market in a bin located at the southeast entrance. Five Rivers MetroParks partnered with Cohen to offer this holiday light recycling program, with all proceeds benefiting the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating more than 50 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, high-quality river corridors, urban parks and a network of recreation trails. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. Five Rivers MetroParks is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).
