About Kremer's Market

Julia Knochelman and Frank Kremer married on October 29, 1913 at St. John's Catholic Church in Covington, KY. They purchased land from the Collins family, built a home on what is now 818 Collins Rd. in Villa Hills and began farming for a living. They raised five children: Urban, Arthur, Frank, Jerome and Julia. A son Matthew died in infancy.

Urban Kremer married Loraine Lange on August 9, 1939 also at St. John's Catholic Church. They raised 6 children; 4 daughters: Marcia, Mary Loraine (Sis), Diane and Karen and 2 sons: Don and Kevin. Urban farmed with his father. They sold their produce at the farm, door-to-door, and at local markets. Urban's father, Frank Sr., passed away in 1948. Urban continued farming and in later years his sons joined him.

In 1977, with business growing, Urban built the red barn at Buttermilk Pike and Overlook Dr. in Crescent Springs, KY. The market remained open for business during the growing season (April through October) 7 days a week. Bedding plants, Bibb lettuce, tomatoes, green beans, corn, and peas, among other produce were all grown on the farm and sold at the market. Produce not available locally was purchased at produce houses in Cincinnati (Castellini Co.). During the winter months bedding plants, Bibb lettuce and tomatoes were planted and nurtured until spring in adjacent heated greenhouses.

Urban died in 1983, ending the farming era of the Kremer family. His son Kevin continued business at the red barn market and in 1988 added a second barn onto the original one. The Market then remained open year-round.

Kevin invited his sister "Sis" and her husband Warren Heist to lease space and open a deli reminiscent of the Heist Family Fish and Poultry Shop at Findlay Market in Cincinnati. This expansion added fruit and gift baskets, party trays and specialty items to the traditional bedding plants and Christmas trees.

Warren and Sis purchased the Market from Kevin on November 14, 1994 which ironically is the same day Kevin and Sis' mother, Loraine Kremer, died. Amy Hoerlein, Tom Heist and Emily Heist, children of Warren and Sis, have joined their parents at Kremer's Market. The tradition continues.