Public Market Manager at 2nd Street Market
Lynda has been the Public Market Manager at the 2nd Street Market for Five Rivers MetroParks since December of 2018 and worked as the Market Coordinator for two years prior. Her previous work experience encompasses over 30 years of retail sales experience, much of which was in the health food industry. In 2018, Lynda earned her bachelor's degree from Antioch University Midwest in Liberal Studies with a focus on health and wellness.
Lynda, who grew up in Spokane, WA, has lived in Dayton with her husband Marc (Dayton native) and their two sons since 2004. She considers Dayton her forever home and loves being a part of a diverse community full of creative people. Her role at the Market brings Lynda continual joy by getting to know and support local entrepreneurs, as well as helping local growers to provide healthy food access to those in need. Lynda's passionate about the power of placemaking for bringing diverse people together in a safe, welcoming space.
Today, the 2nd Street Market in Dayton and Findlay Market in Cincinnati are among the most visited destinations within their downtown and Main Street ecosystems. These iconic public markets have become engines of entrepreneurship, supporting local food vendors, artisans, and small businesses while creating vibrant community gathering places that reconnect residents and visitors to the urban core. Attendees will learn how public-sector vision, adaptive reuse, strategic partnerships, and market-driven programming transformed obsolete infrastructure into thriving civic and economic assets. The session will explore how public markets can serve as catalysts for entrepreneurship, placemaking, and downtown revitalization, providing communities with a proven model for cultivating local businesses while creating authentic destinations that drive foot traffic and long-term economic growth.