Meet Emily of Gingham Market
Gingham Market in Lakewood, Ohio grew out of Gatherings Kitchen, a collaborative catering company and cooking school. At Gingham Market, you can find everything from daily lunch specials to artisan pantry goods - and of course, toby bars!
Tell us about yourself.
Emily Woolf, Manager & Social Media
I wear a few different hats at Gingham, from managing day-to-day operations to marketing and social media. My background is in marketing and brand storytelling, and I love sharing the people, food, and little everyday moments that make Gingham such a special place in the Lakewood community.
What is the story behind GINGHAM Market?
Gingham Market grew out of Gatherings Kitchen, but today we're proudly operating solely as Gingham Market. What began as a natural extension of our catering roots has evolved into a neighborhood Market centered around fresh grab-and-go meals, house-made sandwiches, thoughtfully curated pantry goods, local artisan products, and cooking classes.
While our name has evolved, our mission has remained the same: bringing people together through great food and genuine hospitality. Whether you're stopping in for lunch, picking up dinner, or finding the perfect gift, our goal is to make every visit feel warm, welcoming, and a little special.
What was the biggest difference between running Gatherings and Gingham?
Today, our focus is entirely on Gingham Market, but one of the biggest transitions was evolving from a catering-driven business into a daily neighborhood Market. Every day brings a new menu, fresh products, community events, and familiar faces through the door. It takes an incredible team and a shared commitment to hospitality to create a place people want to return to week after week.
What would you advise any budding culinarian in today's industry?
Stay curious and never stop learning. The industry is always evolving, but great hospitality never goes out of style. Learn the fundamentals, be willing to work hard, and remember that creating memorable experiences is just as important as creating great food.
What is your favorite sandwich? Shop ingredient?
Favorite sandwich: The Dagwood is one of my favorites, it's a little big of everything on rye bread with mustard and pickles, can't beat that!
Favorite shop ingredient: I love Briny Sea Salt - French Picnic; it's the perfect addition with Brightland Olive Oil as a salad dressing topper, especially in the summer months.
You can find Gingham Market on Instagram @ginghammarket and online at www.ginghammarket.com.