Right in the middle of Bentonville, you’ll find the 8th Street Market, which many consider to be one of the most essential components of the quintessential downtown Bentonville experience. While I’ve discussed its exterior setup several times now, I wanted to take the time to explore everything the market offers inside its walls. From cheese shops and ice cream to gluten-free bakeries and cool restaurants, the place truly offers something for everyone.
8th Street Market in Bentonville, Arkansas, is an establishment that homes a selection of businesses and attractions. These include cafés, restaurants, bakeries, cheese shops, art stores, ice cream vendors, and even professionals offering biking lessons to kids. It’s a one-stop destination for all.
If you’ve ever been curious about what’s going on behind those 8th Street Market walls, this is your cue to finally find out for yourself. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the selection of small cafés and trendy restaurants, so make sure to go in hungry. Below, I’ll cover everything you can expect from a visit inside the 8th Street Market in Bentonville, Arkansas, so make sure to keep reading until the end.
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What You Can Expect To Find Inside the 8th Street Market in Bentonville, Arkansas
In this section, I’ll be exploring everything you need to know about 8th Street Market before planning a visit. Before I do that, though, let’s start with the basics.
What Is 8th Street Market in Bentonville, Arkansas?
If you’ve been planning on visiting 8th Street Market during your next trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a lot to do and see here. Since it’s a bit challenging to find a single word that would best describe the purpose and nature of this establishment, I’ll just say that it’s a food hub that, true to its southern origin, is based on the feeling of community.
Here, talent meets entrepreneurship, as small business owners get together to create a space where customers feel welcome, can easily find what they want, and go out feeling happy and full.
However, the community created and impacted by 8th Street Market goes way beyond the vendors and customers. The hub contributes a lot to the city’s economy, as it not only attracts thousands of tourists each year but it also supports local farmers, fishermen, and artisans.
So, if you want to enjoy an authentic southern culinary experience while also helping local businesses stay afloat, I highly recommend adding a visit to 8th Street Market to your itinerary. Though the market hasn’t been around for very long, it has quickly established itself as a Bentonville landmark, as thousands of locals and tourists alike rush to enjoy the mouth-watering food and warm atmosphere offered there.
Location
If you’ve been convinced to pay the market a visit, you’re probably wondering where you can find it. True to its name, the hub is located at 801 SE 8th Street, right in the middle of the Market district. Though the market isn’t the biggest of its type, expect it to expand as the downtown area it’s located in does so as well.
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Vendors
I’ve already mentioned that 8th Market helps local vendors find a populated space where they can showcase their premium-quality products. However, who exactly are these sellers, and what do they offer?
Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Some of the OG vendors you’ll probably find at 8th Street Market at any given time include:
- Markham & Fitz
- Juice Palm
- Hillfolk
- Coop Ramen
- Cocoon Yoga Lab
- Brightwater
- Bike Pack Brewing
Keep in mind that these are just some of the merchants you’ll find at the market, and depending on the timing of your visit, there might be some inconsistencies in terms of which vendors you’ll find there and which ones you won’t. Sometimes, even some of the best food trucks in Northwestern Arkansas make an appearance here, so one thing’s for sure; you won’t ever leave 8th Street Market unhappy or hungry.
The establishments you’ll find here vary from cafés and little restaurants to boutiques and cheese shops, so you’ll never feel bored or out of things to do during your visit. Since we’re on this topic, Sweet Freedom Cheese, which you’ll find here, is the state’s first cut-to-order cheese shop, so you’ll be experiencing a slice of history as you taste your way through some of Bentonville’s (and the world’s) very best varieties.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
Popularity
Though, as mentioned, the 8th Street Market hasn’t been open for very long, it still boasts unparalleled popularity among locals and tourists alike. This is partly thanks to the fact that the establishment has already been featured in several prestigious magazines, such as The Wall Street Journal and Taste of Home.
Though this much publicity has been great for 8th Street Market (and Bentonville itself), it’s the unpretentious nature and excellent-quality foods that keep visitors coming back.
Hours
Unfortunately for tourists, the market doesn’t operate seven days a week; however, it is open from Monday to Saturday, so you still have a pretty good chance of being able to make some room for it in your itinerary.
With that said, keep in mind that during weekdays (Monday to Thursday), the market closes quite early, at 6:30 PM, so you’ll want to plan your visit earlier in the day and give yourself at least three hours to explore and shop around.
If you’re planning your visit during the weekend (Friday or Saturday), you’ll be pleased to learn that the market stays open until 8 PM on these days. And don’t worry, it still opens at 10:30, so you’ll have plenty of time to shop.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a one-stop destination where you can spend a full day in Bentonville, Arkansas, you can’t go wrong with 8th Street Market. The establishment offers everything you could ask for (and sometimes for), so there’ll never be a dull moment.
I especially enjoyed the cheese-tasting experience at one of the artisanal shops I came across; in fact, all the culinary experiences I had at 8th Street Market were exquisite, so if I were you, I’d visit for the food alone. However, if you’re not much of a foodie, there’s still plenty to do and see here.
