Congratulations to the team at Grow Ohio Valley in Wheeling, WV on this major achievement!
Here are the official details on this exciting new venture directly from the team at Grow Ohio Valley:
The Public Market will host a Grand Opening Celebration on Oct. 19. The market, a project of Wheeling-based non-profit Grow Ohio Valley, will offer local food from over 40 area vendors, along with natural and health food items. Additionally, the Public Market will feature a deli offering seasonal and healthy options for breakfast, lunch, and grab & go items.
The Grand Opening Celebration will combine with Grow OV’s popular Harvest Festival. The event will feature a full lineup of live music and unique local food offerings, in addition to the mainstays of Harvest Festival – pumpkin decorating, face painting, scavenger hunts, and more (further details are forthcoming). The Grand Opening Harvest Festival, taking place 12 – 7 pm will span 14th Street at the corner of Main St. across from the Public Market.
Oct. 19 coincides with the first home game for the Wheeling Nailers at the WesBanco arena. The Nailers will host additional festivities in conjunction with the Public Market. In addition, the Wheeling Symphony Auxiliary is sponsoring a 5K race on Oct. 19 at Heritage Port, featuring volunteers dressed as zombies and encouraging runners to wear costumes. There will be a mini-monster dash at 8:30 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m.
Grow OV hired Dean Sparks to lead the Public Market initiative as the Store Manger. Sparks, who relocated to Wheeling from rural Vermont, has made a career launching food co-ops and local and natural food retail stores. The Public Market will be his fourth store start-up.
The Public Market, opening in the Robert C. Byrd Intermodal Center on Main Street, has a dual mission of growing opportunities for local farmers while creating a space for community health, for all.
“We’re thrilled to open our doors to the downtown community to share the local harvest bounty. We’re expecting the Public Market to grow into a community meeting place where the public can learn, share and experience the health and economic benefits of supporting our local farm shed,” said Sparks.
Prior to launch, Grow OV is offering Early Bird Memberships for $5 off, costing $30 until the market opens on Oct. 19.
Members’ support will provide crucial contributions to bring the market to life by funding final construction costs, including electrical upgrades and basic plumbing to support the refrigerator display equipment and kitchen. GrowOV has already raised almost 90% of project costs, and the membership campaign will help to fund the remainder.
“Community support for the Public Market helps us to keep our costs low, so we can give back as much as possible to the local farmers we support,” said GrowOV Co-founder Danny Swan. “Your contributions will help us to create a space for community health that is accessible to all people in the Ohio Valley.”
In addition to Annual Memberships, the Public Market is offering Lifetime and Founding Memberships to those interested in making larger contributions. Lifetime members receive annual member benefits for life, as well as an invitation to a sneak-peak store preview event, a limited edition art print designed by local artist Logan Schmitt, and free hot coffee for one year – in exchange for a one-time contribution of $250. Founding Members who contribute $1,000 or more will be acknowledged with their names featured in the market space, will receive a Founding Member limited edition art print and an invitation to a Founding Members sneak-peak market preview event. Founding Members will also receive free hot coffee for one year after the market opens.
All are welcome at the Public Market. Memberships will not be required to shop.
For more information about Public Market memberships, or other questions, contact publicmarket@growov.org or call 304.233.4769.
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