Make your way to the Marketplace

This story was featured in the December 2022 edition of Sandusky Living magazine. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, call the Register at 419-502-2130 while supplies last. Sandusky would not be the destination it is without its downtown. A recent and growing addition, situated on Columbus Avenue between Water and Market streets, has grown the city's list of attractions. The Marketplace Downtown, which first opened in April 2019, has added a mini-mall style site with restaurants, bars and more fun catering to all ages. It features four food establishments, a gift shop, duck-pin bowling, an arcade, axe throwing, a bar and a courtyard. "People need a destination in the wintertime, not just in the summer," said Rick Hogrefe, owner of the Marketplace building. "Having something indoors seemed like the perfect idea." The main hall is lined with historical information and artifacts stemming more than 100 years of Sandusky — from ice fishing to Cedar Point to the Sandusky State Theatre. Murals by Perkins High School grad Derek Brennen are also featured throughout the market, lining the lower level hallway and along the front wall of Noble Axes. Here's an overview of what's available inside the Marketplace: Noble Crafts and Noble Axes Nobles Crafts, located in the basement of the Marketplace, offers more than 400 craft beers, wines, sodas, seltzers and ciders. From the main entrance in the lower hallway, it gives the feel of entering an old Viking tavern. That same theme is carried throughout parts of Noble Axes. The axe-throwing center offers a niche activity in the area. Anywhere from two to twelve people can be in a bay. Each participant is given a short training and safety explanation, with workers always around to help people get the hang of it. A storefront with mini-bar seating lines the front of Noble Axes and gives patrons extra places to sit and watch the fun. Entrance to either is also offered through a back set of stairs. "The two Noble entities are what brought the Marketplace along," Hogrefe said. Specialties of the unusual and rare from around the Midwest are offered downstairs while a competitive and fun experience can be had upstairs. Hours for both vary throughout the week. Noble Axes: • Monday: Appointment Only • Tuesday-Thursday: 2-9 p.m. • Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. • Sunday: Noon-6 p.m. Noble Crafts: • Tuesday-Thursday: 3-10 p.m. • Friday: 3 p.m. to midnight • Saturday: Noon to midnight • Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m. Duckpin bowling and arcade An added attraction that's fun for all ages can be found upstairs right inside of the entrance off Market Street. The idea for an arcade and duckpin bowling idea came along when Hogrefe realized they had extra space, and what a great spot for a mini bowling alley, known as Noble Pins. It can be more challenging than regular bowling. Also featured in the room are classic arcade games like skee-ball and more. By 9 a.m. the arcade is open. The alley must be set up by a worker so is open during the Marketplaces' hours. The Marketplace's general hours are: • Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. • Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to midnight • Sunday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bake Erie With a new daily menu, anyone with a sweet tooth can stop by Bake Erie, a sweets bakery, for cookies, bars, cupcakes and specialty treats. Liz Turner, owner and baker, makes everything the morning of with the last days extra treats made into little packages for customers. Any item can be a great dessert, party favor or gift. Employees say their popular menu items include white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, ooey-gooey bars and snickerdoodle bars. The shop is closed Tuesdays but open the rest of the week during these hours: • Monday, Wednesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. • Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Doughin' Crazy For another sweet treat you can head around the corner to Doughin' Crazy, an edible cookie dough shop. There are nine different doughs you can choose from throughout the week. They match with all their Toft's ice creams, so it all can be put into any style — cup, cone or shake. "It's a family affair," Jane Curtis said. Curtis is the mother of owner Anna Esposito. Together they make all the cookie dough throughout the week, which they often sell out of on the weekends. Their top flavors are sugar cookie and chocolate chip, Curtis said. Shop hours: • Sunday–Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Derrick Jr.'s Right across the room, Derrick Jr.'s completes the sweet and savory duo with Doughin' Crazy. Derrick Moore's southern-style barbeque can be delivered anywhere in the building as the official caterer for the Marketplace. Derrick's is the only barbeque place downtown offering a large menu: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, baked beans, nachos and more. Moore is originally from Mississippi and uses those influences with some soul food to craft up each meal. A menu favorite is hard to pinpoint since everyone is offered different options, he said. "It varies day by day, but the brisket is probably the number one consistent seller," Moore said. Daily specials are posted daily by Moore with hours also varying throughout the week: • Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. • Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. • Sunday: 12-6 p.m. Wake Up and Waffle Breakfast, brunch or lunch is available at one of the more recent additions to the Marketplace, Wake Up and Waffle. Kristie Ward and Lauren Krueger are owners of Wake Up and Waffle and the gift shop across the hall, Cold Water, which offers Lake Erie and Sandusky-tailored items. The restaurant's two-year anniversary was just earlier this year in September. "It has been awesome," Krueger said. "The neat thing about us and what most people don't know when they come here is that it's not a breakfast waffle, like if you have a waffle maker at home. They are actually made out of dough, a brioche yeasty dough." These waffles are a hit along with freshly squeezed orange juice, chicken and waffles and eggs benedict flying out the door, Krueger said. Wake Up and Waffle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but open throughout the rest of the week for these hours: • Monday, Thursday, Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sandusky Children's Museum Anchored in the basement of the Marketplace is Sandusky Children's Museum, a learning center for ages 4-14. Murals of waves and sea creatures lead any visitor down the hall to the open space filled with catapults, experiments, remote control toys, sand tables, 3D printers, greenscreens, virtual reality and so much more. The room itself is lined with prehistoric dinosaur murals. Everything is interactive and uses toys to teach science. The museum's mission centers around a "STEAM" education, standing for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. "As a scientist, I wanted to do something involving science and children, and help give them hope about the city," Hogrefe said. The idea went into motion after Richard Gallagher jumped on board. Gallagher is the director of the museum and entertains and teaches the kids who walk through the doors. Kris Keller, the administrative assistant, said that it is fun for all ages with learning as a byproduct of fun. Scheduled and walk-in visitors are welcome for tours with no monetary fees for children into the museum. Donations are what keep the museum running and are required from accompanying and non-accompanying adults. More information on the museum's mission, admissions and pricing can be found at sanduskychildrenmuseum.com.