Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market now open
By Holly Drake
Making its grand opening in April, the Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market has joined the ranks of local family-owned businesses.
Betty Zimmerman, her husband Richard, and daughters Januery Tango and Anjelica Zimmerman opened a 13-acre flea market village. The market itself is composed of 33,000 square feet of building space, divided into 216 booths.
The Zimmermans had purchased the land before Holmes County’s Amish Flea Market in Walnut Creek closed. They were also already active in flea markets, having been vendors in eight different markets over the last 14 years.
“We have kind of a heads-up with what works and doesn’t work,” Tango noted. That knowledge is serving them well in this new endeavor. For instance, they are trying not to offer duplicate merchandise, but instead give a wide selection of furniture, floral arrangements, food items, jewelry, rugs, candles, quilts, and more. “We have a variety of stuff,” Tango said. This includes a lot of authentic Amish merchandise she said, which she has seen get lost in other flea markets.
On top of the right merchandise, “You need the right atmosphere,” Tango said. “Our theme is to make it fun and exciting.” This means bringing in entertainment such as Reb and Terry and The Stringalongs. There is also a farmer’s market, concession stands, and even a petting zoo.
The entire building fits with their desired atmosphere. “It’s a fresh, bright look,” Zimmerman said, describing the bright red roof, white sides, and black shutters. The land around the market is uniquely landscaped, Zimmerman said, with oriental trees and items that can be purchased. It will be an opportunity for people to “stop and touch nature,” she added, and will even include a 20-foot span Amish windmill and a working water wheel. “It’s a flea market, but it’s a fresh start,” she said.
And it will be a fresh start for many vendors coming from Holmes County’s Amish Flea Market that recently closed. Other vendors will be new to the market. “A lot of the vendors in there are from the community,” Tango said. She explained that opening the new flea market is even providing jobs for area residents, as vendors begin hiring for the new setting. “And we’re giving new vendors a start,” she said.
While some area residents may raise concerns over the tourist appeal, Tango is quick to assure that this is a good addition to the community. Not only brings in needed revenue, but is done in such a way as to not congest the towns. The market is located outside of town, between Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek, and has four lanes in and out, with a turn-around for buses and hundreds of free parking spaces.
They are also looking for more vendors and entertainment. Any interested parties can call 330-201-2183. The market is open from April to mid-December. Hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
