The Original Holmes County Flea Market a convenient place to gather goodies
By Joanne Lehman
There isn’t much that will stop him when Alan Zinck is out for a daily run, but a local businessperson managed to interrupt him one morning last year as he ran through Berlin. He wanted to tell him he’d decided to forego plans he’d once had to open a new flea market in the area. Zinck now knew it was up to him to make it happen.
Ever the entrepreneur, Zinck mulled over ideas on the remainder of his run. Soon afterward, he began plans for the Holmes County Flea Market. He purchased the business name and entity from the owners of the former Holmes County Amish Flea Market. The new facility opened in April of 2009. On opening day, all 52,000-square-feet of vendor space was filled. Besides the indoor area, the new flea market incorporates a courtyard with tables for snacking or eating lunch and eventually outside vendors will be incorporated.
Alan Zinck has been in business in the area for many years. His oldest business is Zinck’s Fabric Outlet, a promotional fabric store, where one can find thousands of bolts and yardage of most any kind of fabric, sewing notion, trims and many basic items of clothing such as work shirts and pants and T-shirts. “This is our 30th year,” said Zinck. Those who frequent his current business often drive long distances because they enjoy the large selection and low prices. The location of his outlet store has moved to various area buildings through the years to accommodate its growth. It is currently is housed in a former pallet factory along Route 39 just east of Berlin.
In the spring of 2009, the eight-acre property also became home to the new Holmes County Flea Market, where visitors can shop for many of the foods and other items the area has to offer. The 70 or more vendors who are part of the venture are responsible for designing and personalizing their spaces. The facility is open from April through Jan. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It is heated and air-conditioned, with 400 parking spaces located on each side of the building. “At the present time we are full and have a vendor waiting list,” Zinck said. Two managers oversee flea market operations. Doug Burgess is the general manager and Kathy Musser is in charge of food service.
Zinck and his business partner, Jim Gause, from Baltic, joined in the new venture. “It was more my brainchild but I knew him as a good partner.” Zinck thinks it’s a great opportunity to bring many vendors together under a very large red roof for everyone’s convenience. “I’m not a shopper,” said Zinck, “but a lot of people are.” He said the location of the new enterprise is ideal since Berlin is a major crossroads for both local traffic and visitors.
At its center, The Holmes County Flea Market will have a full service cafeteria, ice cream and coffee bars, and many food vendors, including Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Baltic Meats, Heini’s Cheese, Yoder’s Bakery and more. Other vendors, from Amish Leather to Zanesville Pottery, will offer their wares. For those who love anything country, there will be Country Charm, Country Clothing, Country Flooring, Country Peddler, and many gift and decorating items. There will also be books, toys, crafts, candles, fragrances and cosmetics, jewelry, and Western wear. There are new vendors as well as many of the established vendors from the former location.
Zinck said some of the vendors will offer “a lot of $1 type things. In today’s economy, it’s needed. We could easily be the beneficiary of the backlash,” he said. In a time when people are re-thinking their idea of vacations, Zinck believes Holmes County, Ohio is a good choice for many. Why not? Lodging rates are low and food is affordable. The Holmes County Flea Market is set to become a great new place to find useful items and souvenirs, as well as the perfect last stop to stock up on area foods before heading home.
The Holmes County Flea Market Web site regularly features different vendors on its home page as a way to help get to know the many great products they offer and the people behind these products. See the Web site at www.holmesfleamarket.com. The Holmes County Flea Market is located east of Berlin at 4550 state Route 39. They can be reached at 330-893-0900 or by e-mail at manager@holmesfleamarket.com.
