Lancaster Central Market

Your next grocery run could take place at a nearly 300-year-old establishment. Lancaster Central Market, in the Pennsylvania city of the same name, was established in 1730 on a plot of land conveyed by Ann and Andrew Hamilton. 

After over a century without a permanent structure, the city commissioned English architect James Warner to envision one. The red-brick building was completed in 1889 and houses nearly 70 vendors today. Customers can purchase over 14 lettuce varieties from longstanding vendor Groff’s Vegetables, which has been here since 1946, or take home a jar of a small-batch condiment from Long’s Horseradish, which got its start in 1902 and still uses its original grinder. 

Plenty of new faces have found their way to the market though, including mushroom grower The Norris Farmstand as well as Nord Scandinavian Food & Hygge, which sells ready-to-eat Danishes and open-faced “smørrebrød” sandwiches.

Visitors can also pick up a treat from a dozen baked-goods and sweets stands, buy a bouquet from a pair of local flower merchants or peruse handmade wares by makers such as Berry Basket Boutique or candlemaker Pineapple House Creations. Open year-round Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. 23 N. Market St., Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603, 717/735-6890, centralmarketlancaster.com