Flea market US by Arindam Ghosh via Flickr

Hartville Flea Market: A Collector’s Haven in Stark County

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If you find yourself in Ohio, driving down Route 619, you will eventually find the Hartville Flea Market. Located in the small town of Hartville, in the heart of Amish country, this one-stop shopping experience for all ages is a true shopping mecca.

From antiques, collectibles, vintage hand tools, clothing, and home decor to fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, the Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market is a shopping experience that has to be seen to be believed. No wonder this flea market, which began in 1939 as a local livestock auction, has become one of Ohio’s largest flea markets and a true antique collector’s paradise!

With more than 800 seasonal vendors spread over 12 acres, the selection of antiques & vintage items sold at the Hartville Flea Market is always stunning and one of the best in the United States. Flea market enthusiasts and seasoned shoppers should be able to find everything they could ever want or need at pretty much rock-bottom prices.

So get ready to take a step back in time and get acquainted with a place that truly has a little something for everyone. And if the Hartville Flea Market wasn’t enough to satisfy your craving for amazing Midwestern flea markets, don’t miss our review of the best flea markets in Ohio.

The Hartville Flea Market

Nestled in the heart of Stark County, the Hartville Flea Market has come a long way since its inception in 2002. From its humble beginnings on a dusty, gravel-covered hillside, the market has grown into a sprawling 12-acre wonderland for antique enthusiasts and bargain hunters. Today, it is not just a market, but a vibrant community center that draws visitors from all corners of the county and beyond.

Operating on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the Hartville Flea Market boasts an impressive infrastructure that caters to the needs of both vendors and shoppers. Two large covered pavilions accommodate up to 200 vendors and provide a comfortable shopping experience regardless of the weather. In addition, a vast, smooth blacktop area accommodates up to 800 temporary vendors, offering an almost limitless variety of items and treasures to discover.

The variety at the Hartville Flea Market is staggering. Shoppers can find an eclectic mix of goods ranging from rare antiques and collectibles to coins, hardware, and tools. The phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” comes alive here as the market teems with unique finds and unexpected gems. Whether it’s a vintage piece of décor, a rare coin collection, or just some useful tools, there’s something for every taste and interest.

Its proximity to the University of Akron and Kent State University makes the Hartville Flea Market a popular destination for students and faculty. Its accessible location, combined with its diverse offerings, makes it a popular spot for a day of shopping, exploring, and discovering hidden treasures.

The Hartville MarketPlace

Attached to the flea market is the new Hartville MarketPlace: a 3-acre indoor, heated and air-conditioned, pristine two-story building that houses more than 110 individually owned shops throughout the year – note that the indoor MarketPlace houses only three “antiques” shops of very modest interest.

However, the strength of the Marketplace lies in the variety of foods sold: fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, chocolates, kettle corn, fruits and vegetables, local honey, fresh roasted nuts & coffee… you name it!

The Hartville Marketplace truly has something for everyone and offers all types of seasonal produce at lower prices than grocery stores. Visitors looking for tasty, locally grown gourmet foods can spend hours just browsing through all the different shops and booths!

And the best part is that the food is fresh, abundant and very reasonably priced, while all the shop owners are friendly and welcoming.

Dining at the Hartville Marketplace & Flea Market

Most visitors spend an entire day at the Hartville Flea Market to really enjoy it. And when lunch time comes, they are not left hungry! Lovers of quick snacks & country breakfasts can satisfy their cravings at the grill area in the marketplace, and there are also plenty of coffee shops, delis, and lunch counters (like Sarah’s Grille) in the area.

For those looking for a more serious dining experience, the Hartville Flea Market & Marketplace also offers several options.

Attached to the Hartville Marketplace & Flea Market is Hartville’s Kitchen, one of the finest Amish restaurants in the area. The Kitchen offers good, wholesome country cooking and Amish food with delicious pies at reasonable prices.

Since Hartville’s Kitchen is attached to the flea market, it is a nice sit-down option after your day at the marketplace. And don’t let the long lines intimidate you: the restaurant is very large, and you’ll only wait 15 to 20 minutes even if the line is very long.

5 tips to make the most of your trip to Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market

#1 Plan your trip

Plan to spend the day at the Hartville Flea Market on a one-tank trip, and grab lunch at the Hartville Kitchen. Soak it in and watch the people: there is so much to see at the Hartville Flea Market!

#2 Keep your eyes open

Before you start looking at each booth in detail, systematically walk around the entire flea market until you’ve seen every vendor. This will help you map the area and quickly scan the booths of interest. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables for sale in the covered shelters at the Hartville Flea Market & Marketplace: Just be picky about which stall you buy from and look at the fruit before you buy.

#3 Find the right place to park your car

There is no parking or entrance fee. However, on any of the big summer & fall holiday weekends, all the parking can be gone long before the official opening time (9 a.m.). The addition of the huge Hartville Hardware store a few years ago took away much of the parking & set-up area, reducing the maximum size of the flea market by about 25%.

#4 The early bird gets the worm… but the late one gets a bargain

If you’re hoping to find a bargain at the Hartville Flea Market, it’s a good idea to arrive later in the day when the vendors are packing up. Many vendors will be more reluctant to load everything back into their truck and may offer discounted prices on their merchandise.

#5 Gear up!

If you plan to browse all day, wear comfortable shoes or you will be sorry at the end of the day. Also, don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat or bring an umbrella for shade, as parts of the Hartville Flea Market are on asphalt and there are no trees to shade visitors. If you’re planning to bring heavy items such as furniture, bring rolling carts, wagons or suitcases of some kind, as you’ll need them to transport your finds.

When is the best time to visit the Hartville Flea Market?

Depending on the season, the weather, and which of the 4 days you choose to go, the Hartville Flea Market can be either extremely busy or slow. For example, the earlier in the morning you go, the more likely you are to find the best stuff, as many of the vendors at the Hartville flea market close in the early afternoon. However, the mornings are usually pretty crowded for the same reason – but the crowds outside tend to thin out around 1 pm.

The weather also affects crowds: the outdoor section of the flea market is less busy on cloudy or colder days. During the warmer months, vendors fill the outdoor shelters and take over the parking lot to sell their wares.

Each season also brings different products: The indoor area of the Hartville flea market is open year-round, while the outdoor flea market is seasonal. During the winter months, the indoor area is very busy on Saturdays. However, the busiest time of the year is undoubtedly May through September: the summer months bring additional outdoor vendors who tend to have more reasonably priced items compared to their indoor counterparts.

Finally, the Hartville Flea Market is especially active on national holidays: Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day are the market’s most popular days when vendors come out in droves. In early fall, the flea market becomes very festive, with many outside vendors selling apples, pumpkins, decorations, and delicious Concord grape pies!

Hartville Flea Market: Final Thoughts

The Hartville Flea Market transcends the typical shopping excursion and embodies a bustling hub where diversity thrives and community flourishes. It’s not just about the items you take home, but the stories and experiences you gather along the way. With each visit, you’re invited into a world of discovery and nostalgia, where every corner offers something unexpected.

From the joy of finding a rare treasure to the simple pleasure of a day well spent, the market caters to seasoned collectors, casual visitors, and everyone in between. Embark on a journey to the Hartville Flea Market and leave with much more than just goods – leave with a piece of community spirit and a heart full of memories.

Contact details

Where: Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market, 1289 Edison St NW, Hartville, Ohio 44632 (view on our interactive map)

When: Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm / Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm / Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm / Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Website: https://hartvillemarketplace.com/

Free Admission / Free Parking / Accepted Payment: Cash


Bonus: US flea markets on a map!

Now you can see the best flea markets and antique shows in the USA on a map! Not only have we included all of the above flea markets, but we’ve also added some of the country’s most prestigious antique shows to the mix. Just click on the image below to access our free map feature.

flea market map USA

A trip to a flea market is a journey in itself, a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and enthusiasts who share the same passion for browsing and haggling. We hope this guide has inspired you to discover more flea markets in Ohio, and that you’ll share the love with those around you.