The Wild Ramp, Huntington’s premier local food market, is reopening its doors after a move to the city’s historic Old Central City district and invites the public to celebrate with a grand opening ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 24.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Steve Williams and other local dignitaries.
The Wild Ramp at Central City Market, located at 555 14th St. W., will feature more than 100 local farmers, artisans, bakers and producers and will continue to serve the public with convenient, year-round hours. Additionally, the Wild Ramp will serve as a visitors center for people traveling into the area. A new full-service coffee shop, Broken Coffee Mug, will open inside the market, featuring coffee roasted by Huntington’s own Ignition Roasters.
The Wild Ramp at Central City Market will offer expanded hours, opening Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Potential producers can call the Wild Ramp at 304-523-RAMP (7267).
The Wild Ramp was chosen by Huntington officials and community members to occupy the city-owned building in an attempt to revitalize the Old Central City commercial district. The Tailgate Farmers’ Market, located in the outdoor space behind the Central City market building, will remain open and operate from the last Saturday in June until the last Saturday in October.
The Wild Ramp Board of Directors and numerous volunteers have been working for several months with Coalfield Development Corp. and Ackenpucky Creative to redesign the building.
“This move to Old Central City signifies the City of Huntington and Mayor Steve Williams believe in our idea,” said Jennine Barilla, the president of the Wild Ramp Board of Directors. “Our hope is that this expansion will be as beneficial to the community as it is to our producers.”
Market manager Shelly Keeney has operated the Wild Ramp since it opened in July 2012 in the Shops at Heritage Station. She said she is looking forward to working in the new space and the possibilities the Wild Ramp customers, volunteers and producers will now have.
“To have a year-round indoor farmers’ market located in a place that was once originally farmland is very fitting,” Keeney said. “I look forward to being part of the Central City community and providing them with the best local food our farmers have to offer.”
The Wild Ramp has given more than $400,000 back to local producers since July 2012. The market has three paid employees and relies on volunteers to staff the market. Producers drop off items and sell on a consignment model, getting back 90 percent of the cost while the market retains 10 percent for operating expenses.
