Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market

This is the first in a series of profiles on our Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market Vendors.

In 1849, while thousands sought their gold fortunes in California, Peter Bohlender started a small nursery in North Dayton, Ohio – Bohlenders Nursery. Peter had immigrated from Bavaria with his family at the age of 6. With few schools and no opportunity to attend, he went to work in a tobacco stripping house. Before he reached his teens he was employed by a nurseryman where he received his training for his life’s work.

Peter Bohlender moved his nursery to Tipp City, Ohio in 1889, and during World War I he renamed the nursery Spring Hill Nurseries. He derived the name “Spring Hill” from the hill located across the creek from the present day location of the garden store’s growing area.

Spring Hill Nurseries was originally a wholesale garden store nursery, owning nearly all the property surrounding its present location. Over the next 40 years, Spring Hill slowly began to move out of wholesale and into mail-order. Spring Hill shifted the majority of its focus to mail-order in 1930.

At the Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market, Spring Hill Nurseries will be selling plants, selected plant support products (such as fertilizers and pesticides), and backyard birding products. Spring Hill Nurseries will also be selling catalog closeout items such as plants and plant-related supplies.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/offbeat_news/Vendor_Profile_Spring_Hill_Nurseries]The retail store for Spring Hill Nurseries is located at 110 West Elm St. and their phone number is (937) 667-4079. Open year round, their retail store offers a large selection of trees, shrubs, and roses. Their website is located at www.springhillnursery.com.

UPDATE on the “Friends” Program - you can now pay for your bags with PayPal! Click over to our “Friends” page, and you’ll see that you now have two options: send in a check, or pay via secure credit card. The bags will be available for pickup on June 16th at 9am at the Opening Day of the Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market. We’re working hard to get some exciting things lined up for the Grand Opening, like balloons, face painting, and music. See you at the Market!

We’re getting the Farmers’ Market set up, with our opening day set for June 16th, but we’re still looking for a few more great vendors.  Do you want to sell at the Market?  If so, contact us at visittippcity@yahoo.com.   Our Early Bird pricing program is wrapping up, and we’re getting ready to start our marketing and we want to make sure everyone gets a chance.  Email us today!

We are now taking orders! To become a “Friend,” follow these instructions:

• Send a check for $25 to Matt Owen, Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market, 12 South Third Street, Tipp City, Ohio, 45371.
• Very important: include your name, address, and email address or other contact information.
• A receipt will be mailed to you. The bags will be available for pickup at the Opening Day of the Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market, June 16th, at 9 a.m. Please bring your receipt to the Market Information booth when the Market opens at 9am. If you can’t make it, we’ll gladly hold your bag for you.

For the full scoop, see our “Friends of the Market” page. For more information or ask questions, please call Matt Owen at 667-8300.