The Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square opens Sept. 1 in Derry Township. The indoor farmers market takes over the old Hershey Post Office building along West Chocolate Avenue.
Shoppers at a new indoor farmers market in Derry Township will find everything from kimchee and artisan chocolates to deli sandwiches, Greek gyros and bottles of wine.
Visitors will get their first taste of the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square when it opens Sept. 1 at the old Hershey Post Office building along West Chocolate Avenue. More than a dozen vendors will sell fresh and prepared foods.
“It gives the consumer a great choice in a small footprint. We thought it would work nicely in an old, historic building,” said Steve Dayton, spokesman for RVG Management & Development in Wormleysburg.
The company purchased the property in October of 2016 for $3.8 million after a failed attempt from the previous owner to develop what was called the Hershey Downtown Center. The project had been stalled for almost three years.
The market sits near the streetscape-style Hershey Towne Square, which RVG also developed and includes several restaurants such as Primanti Bros., Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Starbucks and Freshido. Dayton said Hershey, with its mix of residents, corporate workers and tourists, seemed like a great fit for an indoor market.
“Hershey does a great job of attracting people, whether it be the Giant Center, the park, playhouse or the theater. This, we believe is the next step,” he said.
The market is split over two floors, with about 20 vendors operating on the first floor. The majority of those vendors will be open for the soft opening, Dayton said, adding some are still working on construction and inspections. A lower level will house about 25 additional vendors and open in a few months.
The former post office was built in about 1936 and previously operated as a slaughterhouse. Dayton said they are preserving the building’s history and visitors will get to see the bones of the building.
The market will operate from about 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays.
Upper level vendors slated to open include:
Joyce Park Williams is the owner of Kimchee Girl and will open a stand inside the new indoor Fresh Market at the Hershey Towne Square. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com
Kimchee Girl: Korean-owned company in Mechanicsburg with authentic vegan Korean kimchee and BBQ. The stand will sell breakfast, Korean BBQ and vegetarian meals along with homemade kimchee in jars to take home.
ShreddRRz: Mobile operation with local restaurant specializes in shredded pork based version of the Hawaiian Island favorite, Kalua pig, along with sweet corn cakes, smoky mac-n-cheese and chipotle bacon slaw. A burrito bowl with house made refried beans, salsa, cilantro lime brown rice and cilantro lime sour cream is a big seller.
Taylor Chip Cookie Co.: The cookie business started in 2018 by Sara and Doug Taylor in Lancaster. It has blossomed to more than 60 employees with nationwide shipping and three locations, as well as a creamery in the works.
Frederic Loraschi Chocolate: Artisanal chocolate shop based in Lower Paxton Township makes and sells exquisite treats in the French tradition. Find chocolate truffles, decadent gift boxes and smooth chocolate bars.
I&E Craft Kitchen: Chef Joel Dincher has 31 years of experience and has racked up 40 culinary awards including multiple “Iron Chef” titles and has been featured on “The Today Show”, “Good Morning Philadelphia”, “Dinner and a Movie” and the Food Network.
Foltz’s: The central Pa. favorite makes buttery pretzels using a secret recipe. The business has grown from an original stand in Reading to eight regional locations.
Kristin Messner-Baker owns The Vegetable Hunter with her husband, John Baker, and will open a stand inside the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com HAR
The Vegetable Hunter: Kristin and John Baker sell homemade vegan food and drinks as well as small batch beer made with fresh and unique ingredients at their restaurants in Harrisburg and Carlisle. They also sell small batch kombucha at Giant grocery stores.
Midstate Distillery: The Harrisburg-based family-owned business sells small batch liquor and opened the city’s first distillery since Prohibition.
Market Street Deli: The stand will offer a 12-foot salad bar as well as breads shipped daily from Philadelphia. The deli works with nine different bakeries, including Kaplan’s New Model Bakery, Aversa’s Bakery and Liscio’s Bakery. It will sell Kaplan’s boiled bagels and an assortment of homemade cream cheese spreads.
Schmidt’s Sausage Shop: Longtime business selling sausage since 1961 and specializing in in-house, hand made smoked sausages, salamis, bacon, sauerkraut and pigs in a blanket.
Yianni’s Gyros: Owners. John and Amanda Politsopoulos specialize in carved-off-the-spit gyros and charbroiled souvlakia (seasoned pork and chicken skewers) fresh cut french fries and Greek salads and desserts.
J&P Winery: Grantville winery and vineyard sells dozens of wines from Seyval Blanc to Merlot as well as blends like Grapelicious Berry.
Ever Grain Brewing Co.: Camp Hill brewer will sell craft beers for on-site consumption as well as Ever Grain gear and take home beer.
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