New farmers and crafters market opens south of Marion
Marion has a new farmers market that seeks to support local growers and craftspeople.
The evening of Friday, Aug. 7, marked the beginning of Sugar Hill Market, a new farmers and crafts market in McDowell County.
The evening of Friday, Aug. 7 marked the beginning of Sugar Hill Market, a new farmers and crafts market in McDowell County.
These were some of the breads that were available at the new Sugar Hill Market.
Local photographer John Sacco, who often photographs the Historic Marion Tailgate Market, said the new market is “very unique and very laid-back and relaxed.” He said the market is just starting out, so it had a small number of vendors and visitors last Friday.
“But I think it will be a good addition to our community and a good place to go after work on a Friday evening,” Sacco said.
The new Sugar Hill Market is located at 8331 Sugar Hill Road, south of Marion. It will be open on Fridays from 4-9 p.m. from August through October.
The Happy Enchiladas provided musical entertainment for Friday evening.
The new market is affiliated with the GOAT Collaborative, a nonprofit based in Marion. The GOAT Collaborative is based at Resilience Ranch, a 36-acre property along Sugar Hill Road that will have eight acres of agriculture, 18 acres of forested trails and recreation and an inn for overnight guests. The market is being held on the property.
Michelle Smith is the manager of the new Sugar Hill Market. She owns and operates Sugar Hill Farms, which is next to the GOAT Collaborative’s Resilience Ranch.
The Resilience Ranch has a restored vintage barn that will become a new venue for parties, weddings and other special private events.
“We are just neighbors who wanted to get together and build something for the community,” Smith said. “The main goal is to have a place in the community and to bring together local businesses, artisans, crafters and farmers and have a fun place to come out.”
Jason Caldwell, the president of the GOAT Collaborative and CEO of Resilience Ranch, said, “The main goal is to provide an additional outlet for our farmers, artisans and local small businesses to improve their sales and to provide them with additional market space."
The new market kicked off with the following vendors: Purple Buffalo Farms LLC; Candy’s Cozy Cove; Hollycove Farms LLC; Pas Hollar Farm; The Crows Nest; Bruce Garnier; Sugar Hill Farms; Harmon-E Goods and Wildcraft; Cookin’ Crafts; McDowell Honey Bees and Tracie and Sadie, according to Sacco.
The Happy Enchiladas provided musical entertainment for Friday evening.
Smith said she sent out a survey and found out local residents and vendors preferred Friday evenings for a new market.
Hollycove Farms LLC was one of the vendors at Friday’s kickoff for the new Sugar Hill Market.
“We wanted to do something different, so we thought Friday nights would work,” she said.
The Resilience Ranch has a restored vintage barn that will become a new venue for parties, weddings and other special private events.
Organizers plan to host food trucks there on Friday nights, and musicians can come to the new farmers market and take the stage. There are plans for other special events for the public to be held there.
“We are really excited about it,” Smith said. “We are looking for music artists on each Friday night to take the stage. We would like to host food trucks. We are really focused on supporting local.”
The first Sugar Hill Market was held Aug. 7.
A vendor helped customers with their purchases of meat and other items that must be refrigerated.
For more information or to be a vendor, email Michelle Smith at sugarhill.farms4@gmail.com or call 828-527-8877.
The Resilience Ranch has a restored vintage barn that will become a new venue for parties, weddings and other special private events. This is the interior.
A vendor sells colorful handmade creations at the new Sugar Hill Market in McDowell County.
