- Covington Farmers Market temporarily moved to Washington Street.
- Market features over a dozen vendors offering local produce, meats, crafts, and more.
- City officials continue search for a permanent market location in downtown Covington.
The Covington Farmers Market made its first appearance on Washington Street, right in time for National Farmers Market Week.
Over a dozen vendors from Northern Kentucky and beyond lined both sides of Washington Street, offering fresh produce, meat, honey, spice rubs, crafts and more. The city temporarily closed the street, allowing hundreds of customers to pass through the market on a sunny Saturday morning.
The modern iteration of Covington’s Farmers Market began in 2012, located around Third Street and Court Street near Roebling Point. In 2024, the market relocated to the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority lot at 425 Madison Ave., which proved to be a more centralized location.
The move to Washington Street is temporary, according to Covington Commissioner Shannon Smith, who attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the market’s debut on Aug. 9. The city is still actively looking for a permanent location.
“The city is still committed to finding a permanent home,” she said. “I just want all the vendors to know that, but we’re still committed to supporting you.”
The Covington Farmers Market has called numerous venues home throughout its lengthy history. The original market dates back to 1830 when the city established its first market house on Park Place, providing local producers with a place to sell meat, produce, and other goods.
As the city expanded during the 1800s, several new market houses sprang up. One on Seventh Street in the 1850s was later rebuilt as a two-story brick building in the 1880s, then demolished in the 1930s. Another on Sixth Street in Mainstrasse was established in 1860, but was later torn down in 1895 to create Steinford Park. Additionally, a market on Eleventh Street was operational until the early 20th century before it was eventually dismantled.
Currently, the market is operated by the Center for Great Neighborhoods, a nonprofit based in Covington dedicated to enhancing residents’ quality of life throughout the city’s neighborhoods. Until 2023, the now-shuttered nonprofit Renaissance Covington operated the farmers market.
Shannon Ratterman, the executive director of the Center for Great Neighborhoods, said she was thankful for the market being situated in the heart of Covington, with space available for expansion.
“This is only possible because of all of you; we’re super happy to be here in this new home that allows us some space to grow and to be right here in the heart of downtown Covington,” she said.
The market has remained a popular and enduring fixture within the city, regardless of its location. Its presence draws hundreds of customers and curious visitors every weekend, in part due to the city’s walkable street layout.
Ratterman said the farmers market drew over 5,000 customers throughout 2024, earning “hundreds of thousands” of dollars in revenue.
“I appreciate you guys being here every week to provide this opportunity to our community–all of the shoppers who show up every week and spend your money here and choose to support local growers, local operators–we really appreciate you,” Ratterman said. “This is a huge benefit for our community.”