This Little Piggie Went to the Market!4 min read

I’m always surprised to meet locals who’ve never been to Findlay Market. It’s such a treat to walk the markets, get fresh produce and check out meats you never knew existed. You’ll bump into chefs from local restaurants buying their goods. It’s just a cool vibe that makes you feel like you’re really in a big city :) I could go on and on but will save that for a future Findlay blog.

One thing about Findlay is that after you buy your meat, seafood and veggies, you think you still need to go to a grocery to pick up the remaining needs for your meal or to get your household items. Well, now you can just go across the street to The Epicurean Mercantile Company (1818 Race St., adjacent to Findlay). It’s the hippest urban grocery ever and has everything you need…from cleaning supplies to what owner and chef Louis Snowden says is the best Pimento cheese and everything in between! The convenience of the market for downtowners and OTR residents is fantastic, located on the streetcar route and next to Findlay lots.

Not only is a very-large-but-quaint-as-heck market stocked with all necessities, it also has a great stock of local products and gift items. Oh, and I’m not finished! The best part… it has a restaurant in the back called The Counter. You can dine in or carry-out at this awesome American Bistro. You order on ipads and pay out at the order station, then watch them make your freshly prepared order.

The experts behind the bistro and store are Louis Snowden and Meredith Trombly. This team of trained chefs met when they both worked at Biggs and are proud owners of Fresh Table in Findlay. (If you haven’t stopped by Fresh Table do yourself a favor and go. Yummy food to grab and go but totally different items than The Counter). EMC is a combination of everything they know well!

Louis said the menu was inspired by a blast-from-the-past restaurant––Hamburger Mary’s––which used to be a hot spot downtown. He was a chef there back in the day ;) It was an iconic place with a great selection that’s reflected in the menu at The Counter. He says his favorite thing right now is the quesadilla! Although, looking at the menu I can say there might be a few “favorites” in my book.

Scoop:
When they were remodeling, they were working on the basement and, while digging, the floor caved in. When they went to look, they found a sub-basement with high ceilings, tunnels and beer vats from the 1800’s still there just left behind. You are able to view these now on the beer tours available in OTR.

Fun Facts:
Louis, among all his other attributes, is also an avid cellist and pawned his beloved cello to open Fresh Table. (Don’t start a Go Fund Me just yet. He has since purchased one)
Meredith is a lover of “Hello Kitty” and has a huge collection of over 400 cookbooks!
Hours: Market is open everyday 8:00 a.m- 8:00 p.m. The Counter is open 11:00 a.m-7:00 p.m. There’s a “happy hour” for the food menu with 18% off from 3:00-6:30

Check out all the local products! Shout out to Urban Blooms for the amazing Living Walls!