Why Going to the Flea Market is So Much Fun!

You are probably reading this blog because you like flea markets already, so we're going to talk about some of your favorite things! Feel free to drop a comment about why you love The Original Holmes County Flea Market!

1. Bargains. This is generally the main reason people live for going to flea markets. They are looking for bargains. That is the big selling point of flea markets. They’re similar to a giant garage sale with all the items organized on different tables. Some of the vendors are selling new items but many of them are selling used items in good condition.

3. Variety. You never know what you are going to find at The Original Holmes County Flea Market but you can be guaranteed that the products will cover a wide spectrum. You’ll usually find clothes, housewares, décor items, tools, toys, books, antiques and crafts. What is found on those tables one week will be totally different than what you might find another week. So the variety that exists is also always changing.

4. Collectibles. Collectors of all types of items will be found roaming through flea markets. They’re looking for rare pieces and parts that can’t be found anywhere else. For auto enthusiasts it may be a hood ornament or another original piece for their current restoration project in the antiques area. Dinnerware collectors are looking pieces to finish out their sets. Art collectors are looking for that rare piece of pottery or a painting of great value that has yet to be discovered. We also have vendors selling sports memorabilia and more.

5. Antique lovers. Flea markets are a great place to find antique items, and our Amish Pickers Antique Mall is a paradise of antiques! Antiquers are often found wandering through looking for items. Smaller pieces of furniture, hand tools, dolls, toys and dinnerware are common antique items that can be found at flea markets. The prices are also usually much less than what you’d pay at an antique store.

6. Food! We would be remiss if we didn't talk about food, because we have a lot of it. Between vendors with wonderful Amish canned goods, popcorn of all flavors, candy, snacks...there's just too many delicious things to list. You will definitely find that one-of-a-kind flavor or a brand new favorite treat when you come to the Flea Market.

Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? We can still take groups, but you need to call ahead! We are taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups!

For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.

Come Visit Ohio's Amish Country! We Are Open!

It has been a rough spring for everyone...pretty much all around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic came along and shut everything down just as spring was starting to show. In May, businesses and restaurants in Ohio have gradually begun to open. Amish Country, Ohio, has been no different. While our businesses were closed (you can't stop spring planting and other necessary farm work from happening!) for a couple months, Amish Country is starting burst forth again with life.

Visiting Amish Country will look a little different for the time being with necessary health precautions as directed by Governor Mike DeWine and Director of Ohio's Department of Health Amy Acton. Since every business has made their own determinations about what they feel safest about (or have the ability to do), it is a good idea to call ahead to ask about what to expect when visiting and plan ahead for your day. You don't want to show up to your favorite Amish Country shop or restaurant only to find out they have limited hours and you just missed them!

These are the restaurant guidelines handed down by the state, but be aware individual businesses could have more stringent guidelines.

• Symptomatic customers are not allowed in any establishment.
• Dine-in places must allow for social distancing between parties.
• Maximum party size is 10.
• Self-service buffets are prohibited.
• Encourage reservations (this is why planning ahead is a GREAT idea!).
• Encourage masks, except for when eating.

Here are retail store guidelines, and again each business may have their own interpretation, so be aware and be considerate!

• Symptomatic customers are not allowed in any establishment.
• Limit capacity to 50% of the fire code. (this means a store could be open, but full and you might have to wait to get in.).
• Ensure 6 ft social distancing in lines.
• Specify hours for at-risk clientele.
• No food samples or self-service food stations.
• Food courts are closed (this does include the seating area at The Original Holmes County Flea Market.).
• Encourage masks, but they are not required by patrons. Employees are required.

If you have questions about how to protect yourself, the Ohio Department of Health (OHD) can provide answers. The ODH call center can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). ODH staffers operate the center seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including weekends. Call center staff includes licensed nurses and infectious disease experts. They are available to answer questions and provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public, and the state’s response.

The Original Holmes County Flea Market can still take groups, but you need to call ahead! Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? We are now taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. 

Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups! For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.

 

New Health Guidelines for Visiting the Flea Market

We are so excited that The Original Holmes County Flea Market will be reopening Thursday, May 14th! However, it is our highest concern to keep you and our vendors and staff safe and healthy. We have put into place new healthy guidelines so that everyone can enjoy the flea market safely!

1. There are posts on the main entrance doors encouraging everyone to wear a mask. We do realize that it is a personal choice, so it is not a mandate and no one will be removed from the flea market for not wearing one.

2. Roster's Roasters will offer a limited selection of pork rinds, but they will not be serving ice cream at this time.

3. Blessings Cafe will offer a limited take out menu.

4. We will be putting all cafeteria tables and chairs off to the side to help eliminate social gatherings.

5. We expect everyone to follow safe "social distancing" and stay at least 6 feet apart while waiting at a cash register or browsing the aisles.

6. We will be placing hand sanitizers around.

7. We ask customers and guests not to enter if symptomatic.

We will also be conducting daily health assessments to make sure our staff is healthy for work. We will clean and sanitize surfaces throughout day and at the close of business or between shifts.

Regretfully, we have to let you know that in order to keep physical contact down, we have cancelled all of the market giveaways, the car show, and Fall Fest. We are still looking to plan these events for our 2021 season.

If you have questions about how to protect yourself, the Ohio Department of Health (OHD) can provide answers. The ODH call center can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634). ODH staffers operate the center seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including weekends. Call center staff includes licensed nurses and infectious disease experts. They are available to answer questions and provide accurate information about COVID-19, the risk to the public, and the state’s response.

We can still take groups, but you need to call ahead! Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? We are now taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups!

For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.

Amish Country Food

One thing that Amish Country, Ohio is never in short supply of is FOOD! From down-home Amish cooking to wineries and chocolatiers, you will find exactly what you are craving when you visit. This blog is going to introduce you to a few of our favorites, and it is by no means an extensive list. So do not be afraid to try another place that is not on this list. We know you will leave Amish Country satisfied!

Guggisberg Cheese

1. Guggisberg Cheese, Inc. This world famous and award-winning dairy is renowned for their premium Swiss and original Baby Swiss cheeses. If you don't find a favorite cheese here, then it doesn't exist! It's located at 5060 State Route 557 Millersburg, Ohio 44654.

2. Troyer's Country Market If you were looking for the perfect store to find all your Amish Country favorites, as far as the edible ones go, this is the place you must go! Troyer's proudly carries many of the places that we mention in this blog, along with their own delicious foods. Fresh butter, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and more are found in abundance here. They are located at 5201 CR 77 Millersburg, OH 44654

Troyer's Country Market

3. Walnut Creek Cheese Another market filled to the brim with deliciousness! Walnut Creek makes their own cheeses, and has a fresh meat market. But what is probably their biggest draw is the HUGE ice cream cones they sell. So if you need an ice cream fix, stop by 2641 State Route 39 Walnut Creek, OH 44687. They also have a location in Berlin as well!

Roster's Fudge at The Original Holmes County Flea Market

4. And don't forget the food vendors at our very own The Original Holmes Country Flea Market!  Spend the day with us. Shop over 300 local vendors with unique items, sweets and treats, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Visit our 2,000 square foot antique wing for authentic antiques, collectibles, and vintage finds. After a fun filled day of shopping enjoy lunch at our full service cafe. Take a seat in our large dining room and enjoy a sweet treat. We're located at 4550 SR 39 Berlin, OH 44654.


Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? We are now taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups!

For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.

Holmes County Flea Market 101

We are so proud of the way The Original Holmes County Flea Market has grown over the years! It's exciting to see new and wonderful vendors find their home with us. We also love it when our beloved return guests bring new friends with them to experience all that we have to offer!

But what if you are new to the Holmes County Flea Market? What should you expect? This little blog post is going to be your primer on how to have the most fun at the flea market!

First of all, you've got to be prepared. We open at 9 a.m., so if you are coming right away in the morning, you want to make sure you had a great breakfast! There are many delicious restaurants in Amish Country that you can be sure to find one that suits your tastes! Wear comfortable shoes. The flea market does have a large dining area where you can find a place to rest, but this is probably not the place where you want to wear your stylish stilettos!

Second, don't rush! We like to use a food analogy when talking about shopping (because we love both!). Some stores you go into are like a butcher or a baker, you find one specialized good there, so it's a pretty quick trip. Just in and out. The Holmes County Flea Market, however, is like the biggest buffet ever! We don't recommend you trying to take it all in in one trip! You'll be overwhelmed! 

We have so many awesome vendors (over 300!), that if you try to get to all of them in one day, you will definitely run out of time! To continue the food metaphor, take the time to savor all the flavors at the flea market. Browse each one of our vendors. You'll be amazed that the selection of goods you will find!

Ready to plan your bus group trip to Amish Country, Ohio, but not sure where to start? Visit The Original Holmes Country Flea Market and spend the day with us. Shop over 300 local vendors with unique items, sweets and treats, and one of a kind gifts. Visit our 2,000 square foot antique wing for authentic antiques, collectibles, and vintage finds. After a fun filled day of shopping enjoy lunch at our full service cafe. Take a seat in our large dining room and enjoy a sweet treat. We are now taking reservations for bus groups. We specialize in groups of any sizes and can help you book your trip. Ask about our discounted rates and coupons for our bus groups!

For more information and discount rates, call us at 330-893-0900.

Exciting Changes Are Coming to Holmes County Flea Market

Holmes County Flea Market is opening again for the 2020 season on March 5th, and we can hardly wait! We have so many wonderful new things to share with you. We are completely revamping and remodeling the flea market. We will have fabulous, unique new items in the antique mall. We are welcoming new vendors, and we have some fun events planned! So many great things are happening at Holmes County Flea Market, and we are counting down the days until we can welcome our customers back to show off the awesome changes and additions.

Exciting changes are coming soon to Holmes County Flea Market! 

Let’s talk about our first couple of events that are coming soon! To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we are having a Winning the Green $50 Flea Buck Shopping Spree on Saturday, March 14th! Participating is easy. Simply, visit Holmes County Flea Market and shop with any of our vendors.

For each purchase, you will earn tickets:

Purchases of $1 to $20 = 1 ticket
Purchases of $20 to $40 = 2 tickets
Purchases of $40 to $60 = 3 tickets
Purchases of $60 to $80 = 4 tickets

You will receive these tickets from our vendors. Fill them out completely with your information and submit them in the container at our information desk for your chance to win $50 in Flea Bucks.
In August, we are hosting our annual car show! Join us on Saturday, August 22nd. The first 100 cars will receive dash plaques. There will be giveaways, trophies, t-shirts, music, a 50/50 drawing, food, and fun. All proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association. Registration for this event will be from 10am to noon, and the cost per car is $15 to enter. Additional donations are also encouraged! The show will be from noon until 3pm. All are welcome to join us, and we hope to see you there! It is sure to be a fun-filled day.

For more information about these exciting changes and additions, stay tuned to our social media accounts. Follow us on Instagram at @hcfleamarket and like us on Facebook! See you soon, friends!

Holmes County Forge is Coming in Spring 2020

Holmes County Flea Market is thrilled to soon become the home to the Holmes County Forge! We will release more details this spring. Forge Visitors will be able to experience of watching an old-world craft firsthand. Twice a month, the Forge will offer knife-making and blademithing demonstrations.

Bladesmithing is an old art form that has been returning to popularity with the television show on the History Channel, Forged in Fire. This art is thousands of years old and found in cultures as diverse as China, Japan, India, Germany, Korea, the Middle East, Spain and the British Isles. If you have never seen anything like bladesmith, we encourage you to come visit Holmes County Forge to see these incredible, live demonstrations!

Mark your calendars for spring of 2020 for the arrival of Holmes County Forge! 

Watching someone create a knife by hand is quite an entertaining event. Additionally, the likelihood of finding this kind of demonstration anywhere else in the area is not high. So, this one-of-a-kind craft is special, and we look forward to sharing it with you.

Surely, you will notice that the detail that goes into each step is what makes it so unique and awe-inspiring. The bladesmith starts with raw steel and forms a rough shape with only fire, an anvil, and a hammer. From there, the blade profile is refined, and the blade bevels are brought to life on a belt grinder. The next step is the quench where the knife is hardened. Finishing varies according to application and can be a painstaking process.

From beginning to end, knife-making will be taking place right here at Holmes County Flea Market! As you plan your spring trip to Ohio’s beautiful rolling hills of Amish Country, do not forget to schedule a visit to Holmes County Flea Market to check out the new Holmes County Forge! As we have more information, we will be sure to share it with you on our Facebook page and Instagram profile, so make sure that you are following us closely on social media. We can’t wait to share the amazing craft of bladesmithing and Forge demonstrations with you.