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Opera Block Market now open to offer grocery items to downtown employees and residents

Justin Wall is the owner of Opera Block Market, located at 45 E. Market St., in Huntington. Wall says the historical significance of the location was instrumental in the name of the store.
Justin Wall is the owner of Opera Block Market, located at 45 E. Market St., in Huntington. Wall says the historical significance of the location was instrumental in the name of the store. Photo by André B. Laird.

Playing a little off history, Huntington resident Justin Wall has opened the Opera Block Market at 45 E. Market St., in Huntington.

"In the late 1800s to early 1900s, this block was known as the Opera Block," Wall says.

"There were a lot of high-end stores and we decided to stay true to that history."

Wall adds that an opera house was located above the store.

When deciding to open the store, Wall points to several reasons.

"There was a lot of desire expressed by people who live and work downtown to have a store of this kind in the downtown area," he says.

"There are not a lot of places you can go into, except a bar, to grab a pop or snack."

He adds that with so many businesses in the area - along with two Senior living communities, and another being planned - the store's location was ideal.

Wall says he also examined the findings of the Ball State Community Improvement Study, conducted by the city, and found that many residents were interested in knowing where their products come from.

"We developed a ‘40 Within 40' program, which basically means that we are committing to finding and carrying 40 products in the store that are made within 40 miles of here," he states.

"Currently we have Glancy's Popcorn, from Decatur; farm-fresh and cage-free eggs from Parlor City Poultry, in Bluffton; and meat from Didier Meats in Fort Wayne, with more to come."

Wall says that the store also carries regular grocery store items, snacks, pop, coffee and new items added daily.

"We are also working on being able to accept food stamps and sell the lottery," he adds.

Another service that Wall says the store will offer, after the first of the year, is grocery delivery within the city limits.

"Customers will be able to call, fax or email their orders in and pay for their groceries upon delivery," he states. "There is a minimum of $50 per order."

Currently, the store is open daily, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. After the New Year, Wall says it will be open 24 hours.

For more information on the Opera Block Market, call 200-1234.

The store's fax number is 200-1221, and it can also be found on Facebook.