The Broad Street Market’s stone building, looking up Verbeke Street, in Harrisburg
After a months-long search, the Broad Street Market has a new day-to-day leader, as Harrisburg resident Joshua Heilman soon will take the reins of the historic farmers market.
Heilman is slated to start next week as the market’s new executive director, confirmed Amy Hill, president of the market’s board of directors.
“We are really excited about this,” Hill said. “What appealed to us about him is that he has quite a few years of management experience. He also understands food and, most of all, he has the heart of the community.”
The title of the position will change from “manager” to “executive director” to reflect the market’s status as a nonprofit entity, Hill said.
She said that the choice was difficult due to the number and quality of applications, which numbered more than 80. A four-person “transition committee” reviewed the applications and recommended finalists before the full board made a decision.
Heilman has many years of experience in the local food industry, most recently as manager of the Provisions grocery store in downtown Harrisburg.
“I think he’ll take the market and the nonprofit mission that drives us to the next level,” Hill said.
Heilman replaces Beth Taylor, who ran the market for more than three years before stepping down in December. Taylor is now general manager of the Millworks, a restaurant and brewery across the street from the market, with plans to open a second tasting room and smaller restaurant in Camp Hill.
Heilman arrives at an optimistic time in the 159-year history of the market, which dates to the Civil War era. After decades of struggle, the market has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance in recent years and, last year, announced that all its vendor slots were filled.
Hill said that, in addition to the regular duties of running the market on a day-to-day basis, Heilman will oversee the launch of a “Friends of the Market” membership program. She also would like to see a renewed effort in trying to secure grants for the nonprofit market.
“We needed someone who could help us launch our community engagement mission,” Hill said. “It was a tough decision. There were many, many qualified candidates.”
The Broad Street Market is located at Verbeke and N. 3rd streets in Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://broadstreetmarket.org.
