Karen Huber

Karen Huber’s earliest recollection of coming to Findlay Market was when she was 5 years old. She and her 4 siblings would often take turns catching a bus from Deer Park to Findlay Market with their mom every Saturday morning. 

The sights and smells are still so vivid to Karen, as she remembers being in the colossal market house and smelling the sawdust on the floor. Making a stop at Dick’s Meat Market with her mom, Karen would see carcusses of pigs hanging behind the counter. 

Shopping at Findlay Market has always been a tradition for Karen’s family. In fact, Karen is the 3rd generation to shop at the historic market. 

Over the years, Karen saw the ever changing vendors going in and out of the market house. She saw pop up vendors, such as the Arepa Place, move into their own storefronts. She saw the expansion and growth of the outdoor market with artisanal vendors and pop ups. She saw the food selection diversify with vegan and gluten free options. 

“You can find everything here,” says Karen. 

To Karen, the merchants at Findlay Market are more than just business owners or workers; they are her friends. Karen went to grade school and high school with Debbie Gannaway and has been going to Gramma Debbie’s Kitchen ever since she opened her stand. 

Karen has known Dean Zaidan, previous owner of Dean’s Mediterranean Imports, for many, many years as they had gone to the same church together. Dean’s mother-in-law even made Karen’s wedding cake 51 years ago. 

Karen tells us that it’s important to support Findlay Market because it’s such a historic place. Karen shows her support in many different ways, whether it’s responding to online inquiries about Findlay Market or purchasing a brick in honor of her family’s long tradition of shopping at Findlay Market. 

Karen’s advice to new visitors to Findlay Market is to plan on making the experience a 3-hour long trip. “There’s so much to see and to experience,” says Karen. “It’s a treasure for Cincinnati.”