LANCASTER, PA – April 29 2025
For 300 hundred years, locals and tourists have been visiting Lancaster Central Market to experience the lively and bustling environment of the historic brick building and inhale the delicious scents of cuisine from all walks of the world. Lancaster Central Market, located in the center of Penn Square, Lancaster, PA, is home to a multitude of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to hand soap. While it is renowned for its local Amish treats like whoopie pies and pretzels, the market also offers delicacies from the Middle East, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, and more. The market holds 120 stands open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s. Baked goods, produce, savory foods, soaps, dog treats, quilts… the list of options available to buy goes on and on.
Wanting to gain an insider’s perspective on what it is like to be a part of such a big establishment, I talked to Ben High, McCaskey High School student and Kauffman’s Fruit Farm stand employee. High works at Kaufmann’s every Saturday morning, selling the ripest peaches, apples, plums and cherries (season according, of course). When not selling those specific tree fruits, Kauffman’s offers a famous apple cider and the sweetest apple butter one will taste.
While he has only been working at the stand for four months, High shared how he has grown up going to market on Saturday mornings with his mother so it is really nothing new to him. The most important part of the market to him is the community and social aspect. High says “I see the same faces every Saturday, I have regulars, I can memorize their orders.” Close in proximity to many other businesses, he says he is friendly with not only the customers but also the standholders. Since 1730 when Central Market was established, 120 stands have been opened by various entrepreneurs and are running today. High tells me “A lot of different cultures are represented in Market, all gathered in one place. It’s definitely brought a lot of diversity to Lancaster.”
Trying new things definitely brings a lot of fun to the market, but my tried and true personal favorite are the crispy beef and cheese empanadas from Havana. Fellow market-goer, Stella Freedman, shared with me that she prefers the green fruit smoothies that the juice company provides. Whether you are looking for something specific or just there to people-watch and try whatever comes your way, Lancaster Central Market is the perfect place to spend your Saturday morning.
