A marvelous opening for The Marketplace at Cooke

[gallery]SANDUSKY — The visuals triggered memories to play inside Dave Waddington's head."In the 1960s, I used to go to downtown Sandusky on Friday nights, shopping with my parents," said Waddington, a born-and-raised Sanduskian who today serves as a city commissioner.Fast-forward 50-plus years later, and a similar scene, but in modern times, materialized."Saturday was the busiest I have seen downtown since then," Waddington said. "It's funny how that hit me like a dream from the past — but I was awake and saw that downtown has a pulse again, and, man, is it fun."Waddington joined at least another 4,000 people who also attended The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening.People try cookies made by Bake Erie during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Bake Erie is one of several local businesses located within the indoor mall on East Market Street. Saturday's open house culminated a yearlong effort, undertaken by building owners Rick and Meghan Hogrefe, to revitalize this longtime vacant East Market Street structure, formerly home to five-and-10 store Neisner's. It's the first of a two-phase, $10.5 million initiative to transform both this and the neighboring structure, the Cooke Building, into the Cooke Complex, a year-round entertainment-focused destination."We were so thrilled with the outpouring of support and patronage of our tenants," said Meghan, who's married to Rick. Together they've invested about $20 million in properties throughout Sandusky and Bay View since 2016. "We knew this was just what the community has been yearning for: more retail (and) more activities for adults and kids."People check out historical photos within The Marketplace at Cooke during its grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. The walls lined with factoids, images and artifacts depicting notable periods in Sandusky's history.Visitors packed the indoor mall, and lines, during most times, snaked 100-people deep, waiting to sample locally sourced foods, which included Derrick Jr.'s pulled pork sandwiches and Doughin' Crazy's cookie dough. During their wait, they gazed at a wall lined with factoids, images and artifacts depicting notable periods in Sandusky's history.People stand in line to sample locally sourced foods prepared by businesses Derrick Jr., left, and Doughin' Crazy, right, during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Derrick Moore, of Derrick Jr. served pulled pork sandwiches. Doughin Crazy scooped more than 1,600 cups of cookie dough. Guests also hurled hatchets at Noble Axes, tried on clothes at Fancy Me Boutique and played with exhibits they'll soon see at the Sandusky Children's Museum.Eli Turner, 6, left, and Jayse Springer, 8, play with stomp rockets at the Sandusky Children's Museum exhibit during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Debuting next month at the Marketplace, the museum set up shop elsewhere within the indoor mall so children could learn about science in a fun fashion.Meghan and Rick handpicked local entrepreneurs with varying talents — more specifically, those with experience in the arts, science, retail, food, beverage and more — to deliver an eclectic collection of merchants.For many proprietors, including Doughin' Crazy's co-owner Anna Esposito, the Marketplace acted as a catalyst to launch a business, which, for many, including her, doubled as a dream come true."The Marketplace helped us realize that our vision of Doughin' Crazy was not so far-fetched," said Esposito, who estimated she, her business partner, Kristin Allison, and other volunteers scooped more than 1,600 free samples for visitors. "People seem to love the cookie dough as much as we did."Brian Williams gives his daughter, Brynley, 1, a taste of safe-to-eat cookie dough from Doughin' Crazy during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. Doughin' Crazy scooped more than 1,600 cups of flavored cookie dough, which included peanut butter and chocolate chip.For others, the Marketplace gave a needed nudge so businesses could evolve. This would include Fancy Me Boutique, which sells handmade and handpicked apparel, accessories along with home goods. "We've worked very, very hard the last few months on getting everything together for the storefront," said Amber Patterson, who runs Fancy Me with her husband, Spencer. Starting as an online business, this marks their first brick-and-mortar storefront. "It was all worth it to experience such an amazing grand opening. Thank you."Shoppers pack into Fancy Me Boutique as it opens during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. More than 4,000 people showed up to the indoor mall's open house.After closing for one week, the Marketplace, starting May 4, will open for regular business: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Some food-related entities along with the museum won't open until later on in May.Rick wants people to know they can expect even more options coming to the Marketplace beyond what was available Saturday."Just you wait," Rick said. "We're just so excited about it."On East Market Street near Columbus Avenue, people form a line as they wait to enter The Marketplace at Cooke during the indoor mall's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. The building's co-owner, Rick Hogrefe, far right, greets people in a viking outfit, which pays tribute to the viking-inspired theme for Noble Axes, one of many businesses located inside there. Merchants in the MarketplaceHere's a current list of tenants occupying space within The Marketplace at Cooke and what they sell or offer:• Fancy Me Boutique, handmade and handpicked apparel, accessories along with home goods• Sandusky Bell and Deli, New York City-style deli sandwiches, breakfast from its sister restaurant, Bay Bell Restaurant, and a salad bar• Bake Erie, baked goods along with New Orleans-influenced treats• Derrick Jr., barbecue and soul food• Doughin' Crazy: raw cookie dough, ice cream and more• Nobel Axes: ax-throwing bar• Sandusky Children's Museum, hands-on exhibits to help children learn about science in a fun fashionJulie Jardon, of Castalia, throws a hatchet at Noble Axes during The Marketplace at Cooke's grand opening in downtown Sandusky on Saturday, April 27, 2019. People threw the miniature axes at wooden targets.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.