Home-Grown Tourism: Local markets aid Canton’s recovery

from Canton Inc. Magazine - Fall 2021

by Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Make It Better: A Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio

AN AERIAL VIEW OF A RECENT SIDESTREET MKT. PHOTO BY SHAWN WOOD FOR 720 MARKET

HOME GROWN TOURISM:

Local markets aid Canton’s recovery

BY AARON BENNETT

A GROUP OF PEOPLE ENJOYING A RECENT CANTON FARMERS’ MARKET AT CENTENNIAL PLAZA

IT’S JULY 3, 2021, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF A ONCE-VACANT PARKING LOT, RESIDENTS OF CANTON AND SURROUNDING CITIES HAVE GATHERED TO ENJOY MORE THAN 50 DIFFERENT VENDORS AND FOOD TRUCKS.

Here, at the Sidestreet Mkt at Oakwood Plaza, a dad buys his family a wood-fired pizza topped with pulled pork. A woman tries on a pineapplepatterned headband. A live band plays upbeat jazz standards, while a girl and her little brother swing their arms in appreciation.

This past year, these scenes of normalcy have been hard to come by. Like countless other cities across the

United States, the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered Canton’s economic growth and activity. However, as state officials continue lifting protective health measures, local entrepreneurs and civic leaders believe that Canton’s open markets and cultural attractions will generate local tourism and help jumpstart the city’s recovery.

“We are already beginning to see leisure travelers back at pre-pandemic levels,” said Tonja Marshall, executive vice president of marketing and communication at Visit Canton. “We began to see an abrupt uptick in Stark County hotel occupancy in comparison to last year beginning in March (+21.5%) and continuing in April (+149.7%) and May (+98.6%).”

Similarly, Lynn and Dave Shimko, co-founders of

WHEN VISITING NEW CITIES, SHOPPING AT THE LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKETS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY, TRY NEW PRODUCTS AND ENJOY SEASONAL FARM GOODS, SPECIFIC TO THAT GROWING AREA.

—Jena Grosschmidt, co-founder of Know Your Roots

some of the most popular open markets in the area — 720 Market and their new Sidestreet Mkt, have seen increased visitor and vendor attendance and interest beginning in May of this year.

“In May, people just came out of the woodwork just like they used to do,” Lynn Shimko said. “There was a special kind of freedom and relief in the air.”

This feeling has only continued to increase, as more vendors continue to reach out to Lynn and Dave and apply for coveted spots in their markets. Spots for these limited spaces are competitive, but it ultimately raises the quality of the event. In fact, vendors from as far as Cleveland, Columbus and even Dayton are commonplace at the 720 and Sidestreet markets.

The caliber of vendors continues to attract local and even state tourism. A survey taken in June 2021 found that 12% of visitors who attended the 720 Market traveled from outside Stark County.

THE DRAW OF FRESH PRODUCE AND LOCAL ARTS

For Jena Grosschmidt, co-founder of Know Your Roots, a consulting agency specializing in managing farmers’ markets and heirloom growers, the improving COVID-19 conditions have brought increased consumer activity to the Canton and North Canton farmers’ markets.

Long touted as an effective way to stimulate local economies by injecting money directly to local growers

and small businesses, according to Grosschmidt, farmers’ markets represent a great way for locals and out-oftowners alike to explore the community.

When visiting new cities, shopping at the local farmers’ markets is a great way to get to know the community, try new products and enjoy seasonal farm goods, specific to that growing area, Grosschmidt said. “Markets also offer access to regional nonprofits, sponsors, entertainment, food trucks and activities that make it a fun destination for travelers, as well as locals.”

David Whitehill, the newly appointed CEO of ArtsinStark, a nonprofit organization that fosters opportunities for art in Stark County, is also a big believer in the power of community.

Since ArtsinStark developed First Fridays, a monthly celebration of art, music, local businesses and restaurants, the event is drawing more than 10,000 people to downtown Canton.

“Anecdotally, we believe these are Stark County residents who might not otherwise come downtown on a Friday evening,” Whitehill said. “They are eating in local restaurants or from local food trucks, they’re stopping into art galleries to build relationships with local artists (and) they’re making purchases at local businesses.”

More importantly, however, Whitehill believes that a thriving cultural scene strengthens communities by bringing people together. As the arts and creative sectors also emerge from the pandemic, he is hopeful that Stark County’s reopening will create additional opportunities to strengthen the social fabric of the region.

“I’m hopeful that our arts and creative businesses will shift their focus outward by building more meaningful relationships with Stark County communities,” Whitehill said. “Reopening will be an opportunity to send a signal about the role each organization wants to play in the community moving forward.”

“I’M HOPEFUL THAT OUR ARTS AND CREATIVE BUSINESSES WILL SHIFT THEIR FOCUS OUTWARD BY BUILDING MORE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH STARK COUNTY COMMUNITIES.”