Three York market houses all at capacity for the first time in nearly two decades

Penn Market, downtown York's oldest public market house, is at capacity for the first time since the early 2000s, making it the third market house in York to have a full vendor roster and a waiting list.

Penn Market has been continuously operating since 1876. In 2016, ownership of the Market was transferred to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of York, according to a news release, to maintain the property. In 2017, the market house was under the threat of tax sale.

Visitors to the Market in 2020 would regularly only see 10 vendor stands open on Saturday market days, but now there are 24 regularly open vendor, offering wholesale food and produce, prepared food and household products, according to the release.

Under the management of the redevelopment authority, the market has seen an influx of new vendors while still maintaining three multigenerational legacy vendors-- Chronister Produce and Flowers, opened in the late 1930s, Charles Ilyes Family Meats, opened in 1951, and Godfrey Produce, opened in the 1940s.

“Penn Market is a gem in the west part of York City, with a rich history of serving the neighborhood, city and county. It has been amazing to watch new business owners flourish along with Penn Market as we reach toward recognizing our full potential in becoming more of a true community asset,” Penn Market manager Brian Kreeger said.

Penn Market is located at 380 W. Market St., York. For more information including the full list of market vendors, visit pennmarket.com.

The New Eastern Market

The New Eastern Market in Springettsbury Township has been in operation for nearly 55 years. It was struggling during the pandemic, operating with about two-thirds of their normal vendor stands, but in just three short years, the market has grown to capacity, again. Market president Joe Gurreri said they "get openings occasionally."

"We do have a waiting list and like to keep our stands food related. We have around 60 stands," he said.

New Eastern Market is located at 201 Memory Lane, York. For more information, visit them online at neweasternmarket.com.

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Central Market House

Chief operating officer for Central Market House in downtown York, Cindy Steele said that Central Market continues to be at capacity. Central Market as been in operation for more than 130 years, and they maxed out their vendor space in 2021.

Steele said they are still searching for a deli or butcher vendor, since Conrad’s Deli will be closing in April.

"It could be an awesome opportunity for the right person," Steele said. "The owner recently purchased a storefront in Millersville and will offer a full-service deli there. It’s what Market is meant to do, though, it’s an incubator for small business and we are thrilled that they have the chance to own a store front."

Steele said that Naked Chick Art was also able to get a store front in Marietta and will be leaving the market house after Easter. The Boys Barking Bones (doggy treats) stand, right beside the Naked Chick Art stand, will take over much of that space with an expansion.

Central Market recently added Mad Radish Farm and expanded Homegrown Marketplace.

There are a number of new stands in the works, Steele said. The market will soon be adding Nami Sushi, a fried chicken stand, Mikes Micros LLC, and Orchard Valley Fruit Farm will return in June.

"We do have a waiting list but, depending on the item that is being sold, someone could move up on the list quickly. We look for locally grown, bakery/café items, breakfast foods, homemade items, meats and cheeses and local art, to name a few," Steele said. "We are always on the search for awesome vendors and encourage everyone to apply and get on the waiting list. You never know, you might just have what we are looking for."

Central Market House is located at 34 W Philadelphia St., York. For more information, visit them at centralmarketyork.com.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Market houses full, have waiting list for first time in two decades