Since 1869, the Columbia Market House has played an important role for this Susquehanna riverfront community. It was built as a bustling marketplace where farmers could sell their produce and goods and continued to connect farmers and consumers for the next 148 years. A decline in business forced the market house's closure in December 2017, but thanks to revitalization efforts, the Columbia Market House is lively once again. B.F. Hiestand House is located just 3 miles from the market house, making it a convenient place for our guests to shop and explore during their stay in our historic river town region.
To breathe new life into the Columbia Market House, Columbia Borough joined forces with CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health to revitalize the historic landmark. Thanks to this public-private partnership, the market house underwent a two-year, $3.5 million renovation and reopened to the awaiting public in late May 2021. Today, the Columbia Market House is once again a vibrant hub of activity in the town. The building has been transformed into a multi-use space that includes a market featuring locally sourced goods, a cafe and event space.
The Columbia Market House is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Vendor stands feature a myriad of artisan products, including meats, baked goods, produce, coffee, fresh prepared meals, flowers and crafts. For international cuisine, get a taste of Caribbean food at PepperPot Jamaican Restaurant or try Cambodian food at Momma Son's. You'll also find plenty of Lancaster County favorites at Lantz's Goodies and authentic Amish soft pretzels at Beiler's. In total, there are nearly 20 vendors for your shopping pleasure.
One unique element of the Columbia Market House is the underground dungeon, originally used as a storage space for farmers. In the late nineteenth century, the borough converted the basement of the market house to accommodate seven municipal jail cells to lock up vagrants and felons. The borough eventually stopped using the dungeon due to dysentery reasons, but the cells still exist in their original form, complete with dirt floors. Tours are available during market hours or by appointment.
As it was for nearly 150 years, the Columbia Market House is again a flourishing space for locals and visitors to shop, eat and socialize. Its rebirth has had a positive impact on the town of Columbia as a whole, drawing visitors from near and far, spurring economic growth in the area, and serving as a reminder of the importance of preserving historic landmarks and investing in local communities. Visit this Columbia landmark during your next stay with us at B.F. Hiestand House and see a piece of this riverfront community's history alive and well.
