MANSFIELD — Paul Kemerling has heard his customers at Relax, it’s Just Coffee’s talk about the need for a market in the downtown area for years.
“I’ve been on this block downtown for about 15 years and there probably isn’t a week that’s gone by in that time where I haven’t heard at least one conversation,” Kemerling said. “Basically saying I need a small market downtown.”
He now has an answer.
The ‘Field Market, 101 N. Main St., will open its doors for a soft opening during the First Friday Event.
“We’re not pretending to be a full grocery store. What I see it as really is a part-fresh market, part-specialty food, part-convenient store,” Kemerling said. “It’s really going to cater to people who moved down here and people who work down here.”
The market will have fresh fruit and vegetables, a gluten-free and vegan section, smoked meat and cheese — Kemerling’s “passion” — as well as a wide selection of unique sodas and beverages for those on the go.
“If you work for the city or your law office is down here and you need to pick up dinner, but you don’t feel like driving out to one of the big boxes, you can pick up pasta, you can pick up sauce, you can pick up a local fresh baked bread and bang, you’re ready to go,” He said. “If you need a bunch of bananas, you can do that. It’s also a good answer to that.”
Kemerling added because of the small size of the new business, he will be able to listen to the client’s needs and respond to their product desires.
The market also is focused on using local suppliers as Kemerling discovers them.
Currently the grocer stocks pasta sauces made in Hilliard and Columbus and produce from Lanning’s Food in Mount Vernon.
Kemerling also said the market will carry microwavable healthy meals for patrons working or living downtown, for a quick meal as opposed to spending money at a restaurant.
The market really caters to those living and working downtown. Towards the back of the store are cleaning supplies for those needing to do a quick clean of the office kitchen or bathroom.
The ‘Field Market is the second business Kemerling has opened, with just one business between his coffee shop, he expects to cater to those same clients.
“I love everything that’s happening downtown, but sometimes you just want something really light and really there was nowhere to get that done,” he said. “One of the conundrums that I’ve heard in all my time down here is that if we’re going to get a critical mass of people who live downtown, we have to market, but then the business people always say, well, there won’t be a market until there’s a critical mass of people. So you have that ongoing ‘chicken and egg’ question.
“I’ve been listening to that for years, and we finally decided that, you know what, we’ve got a pretty successful business in the coffee shop and we have a critical mass of customers. So I think it’ll be easier for us to train that customer to walk two doors down and check us out.”
