Drive down Route 619 in Stark County, Ohio, and you will eventually find the Hartville Flea Market — one of the largest and most celebrated flea markets in the United States. Located in the small town of Hartville in the heart of Amish country, this market has grown from a local livestock auction that began in 1939 into a sprawling 12-acre destination drawing visitors from across Ohio and beyond. From antiques, collectibles and vintage hand tools to fresh produce, meats, cheeses and Amish-baked goods, it is a genuine one-stop shopping experience that has to be seen to be believed.
The Flea Market
The Hartville Flea Market operates on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Two large covered pavilions accommodate up to 200 permanent vendors, providing a comfortable shopping experience regardless of the weather. In addition, a vast blacktop area accommodates up to 800 temporary outdoor vendors during the warmer months, offering a staggering variety of goods. The range is as broad as any flea market in the Midwest: rare antiques, collectibles, coins, hardware, vintage tools, clothing, home décor and much more all surface regularly across the stalls.
With more than 800 seasonal vendors spread over 12 acres, the selection of antiques and vintage items is consistently impressive — and prices are competitive enough that seasoned flea market enthusiasts make the trip specifically to the Hartville Flea Market for the value alone. Its proximity to the University of Akron and Kent State University also makes it a popular destination for students and younger shoppers discovering the market for the first time.
The Hartville MarketPlace
Adjacent to the flea market is the Hartville MarketPlace — a 3-acre, two-storey indoor building that is heated and air-conditioned year-round, housing more than 110 individually owned shops. The indoor MarketPlace contains only a few antique shops of modest interest, but that is not where its strength lies. Rather, the MarketPlace excels as a food destination: fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, chocolates, kettle corn, local honey, freshly roasted nuts, seasonal fruit and vegetables — all at prices consistently lower than nearby grocery stores. Visitors looking for gourmet locally grown food can spend hours browsing the different booths and stalls.
Dining at Hartville
Most visitors spend an entire day at the Hartville Flea Market, and the dining options make that very easy. The grill area in the marketplace serves quick snacks and country breakfasts, and there are coffee shops, delis and lunch counters — including Sarah’s Grille — throughout the complex.
For a more substantial meal, Hartville Kitchen is attached to the MarketPlace and is one of the finest Amish restaurants in the region. It serves good, wholesome country cooking with delicious pies at reasonable prices. The queues can look daunting, but the restaurant is large — typical wait times run 15 to 20 minutes even on busy days. It is well worth the wait after a full morning of browsing.
5 Tips for Visiting
Plan a full day. The Hartville Flea Market and MarketPlace together reward a relaxed, unhurried visit. Budget enough time to cover the outdoor stalls, browse the indoor shops and sit down for lunch at Hartville Kitchen. Rushing through defeats the purpose.
Do a full loop first. Before focusing on individual stalls, walk the entire flea market to map the layout. This gives you a quick overview of every vendor and helps you identify the booths worth returning to for a closer look. When buying produce, inspect it carefully before committing — quality varies between stalls.
Arrive early for selection, late for bargains. The best finds go early — many vendors close by early afternoon. However, arriving later in the day has its own advantage: vendors who do not want to reload unsold items are often willing to negotiate on price. Both strategies are valid depending on your priority.
Arrive early for parking on busy weekends. Admission and parking are both free, but on major holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day — parking fills up well before the 9:00am opening. Arriving early solves the problem and also gives you first access to the best vendor stock.
Dress and equip for a full day outdoors. Comfortable shoes are essential — the outdoor section of the market is large and partly on asphalt with no tree cover. Sunscreen, a hat and water are advisable in warmer months. If you are planning to buy furniture or other large items, bring a rolling cart or wagon to transport your finds back to the car.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
The Hartville Flea Market operates year-round on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but the experience varies significantly by season. The indoor MarketPlace is active year-round — Saturdays in winter are particularly busy inside. The outdoor flea market is seasonal, with full capacity from May through September when additional vendors join and the range of goods is at its broadest. Summer vendors also tend to have more competitively priced items than their permanent indoor counterparts.
The market is especially active on national holidays — Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day draw the largest crowds and the greatest number of vendors. Early autumn is particularly atmospheric: outside vendors arrive with apples, pumpkins, seasonal decorations and Concord grape pies. The outdoor section thins out from around 1pm on most days, which is also when bargain hunting becomes most effective. Cloudy or cooler days bring smaller crowds outdoors, making them a good option for relaxed browsing without the summer peak-season rush.
📋 Visitor Information
📍 Address: 1289 Edison St NW, Hartville, Ohio 44632 (view on our interactive map)
📅 When: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
🕐 Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm
💰 Admission: Free | Parking: Free
💳 Payment: Cash preferred
🌐 Website: hartvillemarketplace.com
Book Your Stay near Hartville, OH
Hartville sits conveniently between Akron and Canton, making it an easy day trip from either city — or a natural stop on a broader Ohio road trip. If you’re planning a full day at the market and want to avoid the rush-hour drive back, staying nearby in Canton or Akron gives you flexibility to arrive early and leave on your own schedule. Browse the map below for accommodation options in and around the Hartville and Stark County area.
Explore More US Flea Markets
Looking for more Ohio markets? Our guide to the best flea markets in Ohio covers the state’s top destinations. And for the full picture across the United States, browse our interactive map below — including some of the country’s most prestigious antique shows alongside the best regional flea markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Hartville Flea Market open?
The Hartville Flea Market is open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The indoor MarketPlace operates year-round on these days, while the outdoor flea market section is seasonal — running at full capacity from May through September, with reduced outdoor vendors during the winter months.
Is there an admission fee?
No — admission and parking are both free. Cash is the preferred payment method at most vendor stalls, so bringing enough on hand is advisable. There are no ATMs within the market itself.
What is the difference between the flea market and the MarketPlace?
The Hartville Flea Market is the outdoor (and covered pavilion) section where vendors sell antiques, collectibles, vintage goods, tools, clothing and general secondhand merchandise. The Hartville MarketPlace is an adjacent indoor two-storey building housing over 110 permanent shops — focused primarily on fresh food, produce, baked goods and specialty foods, with only a handful of antique shops. Together, they form a single destination that is worth a full day’s visit.
Where should I eat at Hartville?
Hartville Kitchen, attached to the MarketPlace, is one of the finest Amish restaurants in the region — wholesome country cooking with excellent pies at fair prices. For lighter options, the grill area in the MarketPlace serves breakfasts and quick snacks, and Sarah’s Grille is a popular lunch counter on site. Queues at Hartville Kitchen can look long but move quickly — typical waits run 15 to 20 minutes.