Wendy Pramik

Special for USA TODAY

The North Market is a feast for the senses. A fixture in downtown Columbus, Ohio since 1876, the non-profit market features 35 vendors selling a cornucopia of food-related items in a 44,000-square-foot historic warehouse. The goodies include homegrown fruits and vegetables, gourmet cheeses, kosher meats, fresh fish, European pastries, spicy chicken and artisanal ice cream.

Downtown Columbus is a vibrant home to 82,500 daytime workers, 8.5 million visitors and 7,500 downtown residents, says Rick Harrison Wolfe, executive director of the North Market. He keeps the statistics handy on a Post-it note in his office on the second floor of the market.

“We want the locals to shop here, and we want the convention folks to eat here,” says Wolfe, a Columbus native who’s led the market for the past three years. “The hardest thing is keeping that balance.”

One of Wolfe’s missions is incubating and supporting independent, local businesses. “People come here for these merchants, and they need to be compelling,” he says.

Wolfe’s method is apparently working. Recently Vice President Joe Biden made his second unannounced stop at the North Market, purchasing ice cream at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams to enjoy on the spot, Bavarian pretzels at Brezel for his plane ride home, and handmade pasta from the Pastaria that he’d prepare later.

Another project Wolfe spearheaded is a “sip-and-stroll” atmosphere that’s popular at European markets and trendy American supermarket chains. Wolfe’s efforts have paid off as the Buckeye State recently passed a law to allow patrons to carry beer and wine throughout the market.

“I think we’re the model for public markets of the future,” Wolfe says.

Take a virtual tour in the gallery above, and see former market tours below.

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