Making its grand opening in April, the Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market will be joining the ranks of local family-owned businesses.
Becky Zimmerman, her husband Richard, and daughters Januery Tango and Anjelica Zimmerman are opening a 13 acre flea market village. The market itself is composed of 33,000 square feet of building space, divided into 216 booths.
The Zimmerans 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 coming in,” Tango said. This will include 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 will also be a farmer’s market, concession stands, and even a petting zoo.
The entire building is going to fit with their desired atmosphere. “It’s going to be a fresh, bright look,” Zimmerman said, describing the bright red roof, white sides, and black shutters. The land around the market will be 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 will it bring in needed revenue, but it will be done in such a way as to not congest the towns. The market is located outside of town, between Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek, and will have four lanes in and out, with a turn-around for buses and hundreds of free parking spaces.
Steiner Cheese, of Baltic and Zanesville, will also be moving in next door, on an eight acre parcel. Visitors will be able to take guided tours of the cheese making process and will be able to sample the variety of Steiner cheeses. There will be a retail store with cheese and wine available as well.
The building is currently being constructed in preparation for the April opening. People are welcome to check it out and watch the construction process, Tango said.
They are also looking for more vendors and entertainment. Any interested parties can call 330-201-2183. The market will open April 2, and will continue until mid-December. Hours will be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
