A new farmers market will debut June 10 in Hampton Park in a four-week test of the viability of the new community gathering spot.
The Hampton Park Farmers Market will be open Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through July 1. (In other words, on June 10, 17 and 24 as well as July 1). The effort is spearheaded by Basic Kitchen co-owner Eva Suarez, local restaurant entrepreneur Brooks Reitz and the M.A.R.S.H. Project, a grassroots initiative working to preserve and restore Charleston’s marshlands.
The trio worked with the Charleston Parks Conservancy and the City of Charleston to bring the new initiative to the Hampton Park and Wagener Terrace neighborhoods.
“We love our farmers and we love Hampton Park so bringing them together just felt right,” said Suarez. “We’re excited to create a space where neighbors can meet the growers and makers who make Charleston so special.”
The Hampton Park Farmers Market will feature vendors offering produce, flowers, bread, honey, meats, mushrooms and other locally made products. Initial participants include Bear Swamp Flowers, Brandon’s Bread, Chucktown Acres, Counter Cheesemongers, Green Heart, Holy City Hogs, Kindlewood Farm, Little Wing Honey, Lowcountry Fungi and Lowland Farms. Additional vendors are expected to join throughout the season. Basic Kitchen will also be on-site with beer, wine and soft drinks available for purchase.
“I was and am a fan of the James Island market, but it was a long drive I didn’t always feel like making,” Reitz said. “I wanted access to the same great farmers and selfishly, didn’t want to have to travel far. After spending last summer in California and shopping the markets in various towns, I really started to pine for something similar downtown.
“The Marion Square market [in Charleston] had changed over the years and clearly was positioned to attract visitors, but I found it less useful as a shopping market,” he Reitz added.
Reitz, who lives near Hampton Park, said he used it daily.
“I think it’s an incredible amenity for Charleston,” he said. “And to me, it felt like a natural place to host a market of this kind. Knowing the demographic that surrounds the park, I knew there would be a lot of demand, and that has proven to be true.”
The market will take place near the park’s Rose Pavilion. For more information, visit thpfm.com or follow along at @hamptonparkfarmersmarket on Instagram. Farmers and producers interested in joining as a vendor can contact the market team on Instagram.
Hampton Park is located at 30 Mary Murray Drive, Charleston.
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