Central Market House welcomes new businesses, celebrates local growth
Central Market House in York welcomed 14 new businesses and celebrated longtime vendor J.R.’s Fries, highlighting its role in local entrepreneurship.
YORK, Pa. —
Central Market House marked a big day as the historic hall welcomed new businesses and reaffirmed its role as a launching pad for local entrepreneurs.
A launching pad for local entrepreneurs
Downtown Inc. recognized 14 new businesses, as well as celebrating 20 years of J.R.’s Fries. Leaders said the market remains a key part of York’s destination economy and a place where businesses can test ideas without major upfront costs.
“Not every individual, nor should they, has $150,000 in the bank to go in and start a business. And so, the stand rates here are reasonable. And it allows anyone to break into that entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Sarah O’Brien of Downtown Inc.
New business owners pursue their dreams
This entrepreneurial system is vital to York’s destination economy, with more than 165 businesses joining the York City community in the past five years. Among them is Yaya’s Cravings, a new venture by Yadnaira Revera.
“When I started, I never thought I would have my small business before I have my full-time job in human resources,” Revera said.
For Frances Leon, the opportunity had been years in the making.
“I just waited, two years for a spot to open here. I had a food truck for six years, and I want to share my Hispanic food, so people know it,” said Leon, owner of La Papleta.
William Lawver said opening Copper Bonnet gave him a way to invest in the city where he was raised.
“I’m actually a York native, born and raised here. It was just an important opportunity for me to be able to participate in the local economy I grew up in,” said William Lawver.
Preserving community through local investment
Business owners also said the market helps preserve a sense of community in an age of online shopping.
“It’s amazing to come into this building and know all the people that came before me, and to know that we can keep it open and keep something. It’s still here for the community,” said Rachel Condon of Quartz and Clover.
“The sky’s the limit as long as we invest in each other. It’s not just about one business in the market; it’s about the market as a whole and bringing people in here,” said Jason Billet of Susie Ques BBQ.