August 13, 2024 • 23 mins
Can you imagine the profound impact a local farmer's market can have on a community over 25 years? Join us as we celebrate the incredible journey of the Evening Farmer's Market at Pecan Park in Statesville, North Carolina. In our conversation with Madge and Byron, we explore the market's origins, tracing its growth from a small gathering in 1999 under Edward Marshall's vision to a bustling hub with a variety of vendors. Madge shares her personal story of selling herbs since moving to Statesville, shedding light on the market’s role in reconnecting the community with traditional practices and fostering new friendships.
The market’s vibrant atmosphere comes alive every Thursday from 3:30 pm to 6 pm at Pecan Park in Downtown Statesville, and we delve into what makes it special. From fresh produce to unique crafts, the diverse offerings appeal to all senses, especially with local musicians adding charm to the setting. The downtown social district adds another layer of enjoyment, allowing visitors to sip on a pint while exploring the market. As we approach fall, exciting events like a kids' day in September promise to keep the spirit of the market thriving. Reflecting on past seasons, we hold a hopeful outlook for increased participation from both vendors and visitors post-pandemic.
Our conversation extends beyond the market, celebrating Statesville’s vibrant community events like art crawls and Comic-Con that bring local creators together. A chat with Byron, who is also a local cartoonist highlights the supportive arts community and the joy of recognizing familiar faces in a tight-knit town. We share our own journey of growing our podcast over the past year, encouraging listeners to stay connected and share their ideas for future episodes. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to Statesville, there's always something new to discover. Join us at the market and be part of this incredible community story!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Stop scrolling everyone.
We've got tons to celebrate andyou're going to want to tune in
now to find out more.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Welcome back to Discover Statesville.
Today we're joined by Byron andMadge with the Evening Farmer's
Market at Pecan Park.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Welcome y'all Thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Glad to be here.
So my understanding is thatwe're celebrating 25 years of
the Evening Farmer's Market atPecan Park.
Matt, you've been involved fora long time.
Can you tell us a little bitabout how the Farmer's Market
got started?
Speaker 5 (00:32):
Well, I started going in 1999, and that is when
Edward Marshall had started it.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And well, that was the beginning, Just been going
ever since huh, it's been goingever since, right, he was just a
young passionate guy.
Speaker 5 (00:52):
Then right, right, and he came that year but he
didn't come back in like what2000,.
But the market continued on.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
So in that first year or two in 1999, how many
vendors did you guys haveinvolved?
Speaker 5 (01:10):
I can't remember but we had.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
I mean we had Still a variety of different things
produce.
Yeah, Okay.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Making people come to the market and come back.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Sure, yeah, today we have about two dozen vendors
that rotate through.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Today you do yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Okay, depending on what's in.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, what's in season?
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Right.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So, matt, you're the for lack of a better word for me
the operations manager.
You run the evening farmer'smarket now and keep it all going
right.
Have you been doing that since2000?
Okay, nobody else will do it,but everyone's very grateful.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Everyone's very grateful that you do it.
That's right we have.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
So what tell us about your passion for the market?
What made you decide 24 yearsago to jump in and help keep it
going and do all the greatthings that led us to where we
are today?
Speaker 5 (02:06):
Well, to me, a market is not only just going there to
sell, it's a community eventand to see people, to talk to
people and all the things thatgo on is what keeps me going,
right, right.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
We have a lot of people who come every week and
sometimes they're not buying,they just sit and they chat with
people.
It's just a nice opportunity.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
It's a great use of the park there's live music a
lot of the time.
I mean, it's just a really neatactivity.
It's become sort of adestination in downtown on
Thursday nights.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Now Mash, do you sell , do you do any farming or
crafting, or do you just keepthe market going?
Speaker 5 (02:49):
No, I grow and sell herbs.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I was going to jump in and say it, but I was like I
do it, cindy stop, I know whatshe does.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
That has been my life since I came to Statesville.
Okay, because we bought landout in Cool Spring and I'll tell
you the whole story.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
We want you to.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
My husband said I went to college so I didn't have
to farm, but I wanted land andto farm.
Okay, so at least he consentedand we did buy a few acres and
live out in the county.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
All right, so you've been growing herbs ever since.
Did you do that before you gotinvolved in the farmer's market?
Speaker 5 (03:39):
I can't remember what got me started.
What started that?
But herbs can grab you and takehold and make you go.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Lots of benefits with growing them and I think really
cool, not one of those vendorsthat you see at some farmer's
markets.
You know everybody's growingvegetables or different types of
produce and stuff, so I thinkhaving you know, having an herb
vendor is pretty neat.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
Well, right, and there's so much that we have
lost our connection to herbs andI think that it's time.
A lot of it's coming back now,and I think that's absolutely a
great thing.
If people learn more how to usethem, that's a benefit to to
(04:26):
them too.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So yeah, because one of the things about the market,
of most farmer markets and oursin particular, is we're
encouraging people to learn howto grow stuff on their own and
be a little more self-sufficient.
You know, yeah, certainly wewant to come by our products
that are there, but you know,learn how to properly.
You know plant stuff and growtomatoes or whatever on your own
.
In fact, we just recently had ademonstration where the
(04:48):
agriculture students fromMitchell Community College came
in and showed everybody how tolike plant pumpkins and stuff
and they answered gardeningquestions.
So I think that's an importantprocess as well to involve the
community in themselves, getback to their own little
gardening, because that wassomething that was done back in
the war era and all that, andwe've kind of gotten away from
that as our community grew.
But now we're going back tothose roots and I think that's
(05:09):
an important part of thefarmer's market.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Oh yeah, I'm glad you said that because, yeah, that's
a real resource for if you'vegot even if you've got container
gardens in your backyard, beingable to bring something yours
and say why doesn't my tomatolook like your tomato?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
let my tomato look like your tomato and get some
tips from the people that aredoing this professionally.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I mean, I think that's you know, because our
tomatoes don't look like those.
It's like what's wrong.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
No, I think that's great, that's a great resource,
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
I'm a hobby gardener.
I've got three containers now.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So it's three birthdays in a row.
My husband has built me anabove ground garden in our
backyard, and he does most ofthe work.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
I picked the vegetables, but he does and he
but he does make sure I have togo out there and pick it.
He's not doing that and andthen putting it in recipes.
But couldn't possibly um bringtogether all the amazing things
you guys have out there at thefarmer's market?
And I'm glad you mentioned umkind of the program you guys are
doing, because we talked alittle bit before we started
(06:14):
recording and um byron, you weretelling us, or madge was
telling me, how amazing you areas you pulled up outside um you
guys are, you're helping thefarmer's market more recently go
to another level, rightdigitally, and help reach people
.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
I've revamped the website and I've uh, got their
social media going on facebookand instagram and all that.
That's kind of my background isin doing some web work, but I'm
also an illustrator andcartoonist stuff, but, um, you
know, and so that I brought thatexpertise to them and it's
helped, you know, the awarenessof the market and just like we
just put a post that's kind ofwhy I was late I was putting a
post up about the, about thecurrent thing going on today, so
(06:51):
it, uh, you know.
But, but to go back to thegardening thing, we just, uh, I
moved here about five years agofrom illinois.
Uh, my son went to school inmooresville and we chose
statesville, um, because we likethe community.
I was born in southern illinoisand I went, hey, this is like
this is great, you know, andthese are my people.
And so we just recently boughtanother home out in, excuse me,
(07:13):
in Cold Springs Cold Springs,near her and it's a full acre
and we are just starting to putour above ground planting in.
And because I went to theMitchell College guys and I said
, hey, how do you do this?
And my son's really into this,so I I'm glad to see my
27-year-old is getting the bugto grow things.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
We need more people to get the bug.
Yeah, yeah, not the bugs.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Right, we get rid of the bugs and how to get rid of
the bugs, naturally.
But anyway, there you go, thereyou go, but how to get the
insect to grow and be a littlemore self-sufficient.
My wife's getting ready to makesalsa out of the tomatoes she
grew out there and he's got somehuge peppers growing and he's
going to burn my mouth, I'm sure, with something, because he
loves that kind of stuff.
But it's good to see a youngergeneration getting involved back
(07:54):
in that an interest in that.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So you guys are planning ongoing.
Well, for those of you who'venot been to the evening farmer's
market, or for listeners whomay not be in Statesville, it
happens.
Tell us when.
It happens Every Thursday.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
From 3.30 to 6 in Pecan Park, at the corner of
what Water and whatever downtown.
Downtown Statesville yeah, yep,right down there Center Street,
yeah, yes, and all that.
And it's a lovely park, it'sshaded and it's great and we
have tons of vendors, but youknow, and there's all types of
things available.
You know they have, we have.
You know they have, we have.
You know, of course, we havefarmers products as well, but we
(08:29):
also have pottery.
We have her herbs, uh, herbs,and there's a is it herb?
Herb anyway, pecan they're like.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
He's from illinois, I can tell anyway, but the way I
thought, musicians you have somemusicians coming in and anybody
that wants to come and play forus is welcome to come.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
Just let us know and we put the tip jar out and they
really make the market a greatafternoon when we have music.
So we're always ready for moremusic.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
And if we're going into the fall already.
Oh my goodness, summer's almostover, but anyway, we have a lot
more demonstrations going on.
We'll have our kids' day inSeptember after kids get back to
school, a little treat for them.
So there's all types of thingswe do throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Okay, and the season you guys usually kick off in May
.
April 1st April, 1st Okay.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
We're April through October.
Okay, so we have what?
August, september?
We have three more months to goso lots of time, lots of time,
oh yeah, lots of time for lotsof music, and it's been a hot
summer, so it'll be, nice tohave some nice trees.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
There has been lots of rain, which we needed.
There's drought in the city, sothey were going to stop us from
watering, so we're glad to haveall that rain.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I think it was close.
There was a drought.
We're moving in the rightdirection.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Thankful for all that rain.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Well, and I will also mention Pecan Park, is in the
downtown social district.
So that's another aspect thatnow you know you go by Red
Buffalo, you get a pint, you canwalk over peruse the farmer's
market live by Red Buffalo youcan get a pint.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
You can walk over, peruse the farmer's market, live
music.
Joe's very kind.
He brings us out beer once in awhile.
There's no reason, even ifyou're like.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
I don't think that's for me Now.
There's really no reason to notgo check out the market.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Why is Joe Bondi coming up at every it seems like
every podcast we're doing Goodbusiness model that guy's built.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Build a business around beer.
Maybe people will enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Keep up that good engagement there, Joe.
We're glad to have Joe.
Joe Bondi is on the board ofdirectors for the Statesville
Convention and Visitors Bureau,who I work for, so we're glad he
shows up at the market.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Almost every week he buys stuff.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
He buys flowers for his wife when he screws up.
Not that he's done that Well,and I think that's another great
one.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
You mentioned herbs.
You know you've got flowervendors, so I mean, there really
is something for everybodythere, there's pastries, there's
all types of things.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
My wife's pottery is there and so she does.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Madge, do you have a favorite memory or something
that really stands?
I mean, 25 years is a reallylong time for that market to be
thriving.
Yeah, do, yeah.
Do you have a story orsomething you're like?
Speaker 5 (11:11):
oh, I missed that time.
Well, we have had years wherewe have had more vendors and
customers and I miss that andI'm hoping that we kind of get
that back.
Yeah, that would be my goal.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Did you hear that?
Everyone you need to come outand help Madge celebrate 25
years.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
The pandemic kind of shifted things for our whole
society.
Society, sure, and people arenow just kind of getting back in
their old routine, so it helpsyeah and all that more people
started gardening right.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, and it became.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
You know, things like farmers markets were a real
resource and I think I rememberimagine I talking back in 2020
about about the ability to hostthe market because of some of
the restrictions were in placewith social distancing and
things and but it was.
It was one of the conversationsthat we were having about gosh.
You know, this is a real needfor something like a farmer's
market.
You know, when you didn't knowabout grocery store and
everything, it was kind of likegosh.
(12:00):
This is an opportunity forpeople to shop outside, access
to fresh food, um, so that youknow a real need for those, uh,
for the markets.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Back in, absolutely byron, I think I'm talking out
of turn so I might beembarrassing myself, but you
look familiar to me and youmentioned you're a cartoonist
and it kind of clicked for meWere you at the art crawl with
some of your work.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Well, I was there with my wife.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
She does the pottery.
She does the pottery.
Yeah, what a crock.
She does the stateful mugs.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Yeah, you know the water crock, I thought.
So I was like, wait a minute,cartoonist, I saw him.
Well, I do the Comic-Con herein town and I do the one up in
Wilkesboro and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
The Comic-Con's great .
Oh yeah, we have them on theshow.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
And part of the reason that appealed coming out
to the East Coast from theMidwest is in Chicagoland
there's really one or two bigand I think that's great.
We're getting off from thefarmer's market.
But it goes to community againthat you have this community and
(12:57):
you're built on that and youhave people that do these types
of things and that's an appeal.
It's like, wow, come down here,like you said, hang out at the
variety of vendors you havedowntown and all that and the
things that are available.
But yeah, she's done the artcrawl a couple times, been very
good for her and all that.
And yeah, I probably shouldbring my art out.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
You were at the vault this last time because we did a
mug giveaway, yes, so yeah, Ilove all of her work, but yeah,
it's not off topic.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
She's a maker and you know you have makers at the
farmer's market.
Yeah, like you're talking about, I mean, as you're looking for
more vendors.
You know, if people are outthere that think, oh, I'm not a
fit for a farmer's market, maybethey are and they just don't
realize that there's thingsbesides just locally grown
produce and herbs.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
Yeah, as long as you make it yourself, that's fine.
That's only a requirement.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
I mean look, at it and grow it.
The rule is you have, thenyou're welcome to come to our
pharmacy.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Come try it out, yeah , now taking new local vendors.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
We want.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
we're talking about community and that's that's
really what it's all about.
And you said, um, um, somethingyou said a minute ago that
stuck with me.
These are my people and what wehave heard over the past year
of doing this podcast.
I said at the beginning we havelots to celebrate and be remiss
not to say Yay, richard, we'vebeen doing this a year.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We can make it 25?
I don't buy it.
That's pretty crazy though.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
A year's crazy 25 years.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I'm crazy 25 years.
I'm not going to commit to that, but I'm still in it.
I'm in it for now.
There you go.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Richard said fool me once.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
I have at least 15 years left with the city.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Yeah, Richard tells the story sometimes that I told
him it was going to be a podcast, that we were going to be
talking.
He did not know it was going tobe video too, until I showed up
.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah, like for the first one.
Yeah, it's like well, what's?
Speaker 1 (14:45):
that, for I accidentally.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, the old jokes you have a face for radio yeah,
no kidding, man no kidding anduh, my news, my broadcast news
day is you know, it was like Iwas always behind the camera.
I was yeah, no, I didn't wantto be in front yeah but it's
been great.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
I'm surprised that it's been a year.
We've learned a ton about thelocal community, which is
certainly impressive consideringhow long Cindy and I both have
lived here, and learning moreevery week.
So it's been great.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I mean, once a week we have somebody come by and go
I didn't know you were here andit's like, well, go check us out
on the social media and allthat.
And they're just like, wow,this is great.
And particularly when theschools are in session, the
schools let out near us andpeople drive by and go, oh,
there's something down there.
And it's like, yeah, we havesigns and all that out.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But it's all the little things.
I mean the sign that helps.
You know, you guys put out thesandwich boards.
That's a big deal, but I thinkincreasing the presence on
social media is certainly goingto, you know, is making a big
impact.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Yeah, I'm going to look into doing more, and I've
been hesitant to do that becausepeople are kind of camera shy.
Sometimes it's like, oh my God,yeah, yeah, as I just said, I'm
the one behind it, but you know, I want to increase our
presence a little bit on that aswell.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, well, like Richard said, gosh, I've been
here for 20 years.
Richard grew up here.
But if someone asked me if Iknew Madge, I'd say yes, because
she's Madge right EveningFarmers Market and I've heard
her name so many times.
And when I met her for thefirst time today she said oh yes
, I know your name, like I'veheard your name, but I mean I
(16:12):
come to the farmers marketbusiness owner downtown.
Madge is downtown.
Like, for example, when I firstsaw you, I was like I recognize
him but I don't know where.
I thought you.
I was like I recognize him butI don't know where I've bought
something from you.
But it's really cool for us toreally have the opportunity to
sit down and get to know people.
Small town living it's a smalltown, but not as small as you
(16:35):
think.
Imagine I've never met.
I don't believe.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
I'm sorry for that but I'm glad to have met you
today.
I've seen your pictures on theinternet, so that believe in.
I'm sorry for that, but I'mglad to have met you today.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I've seen your pictures.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah, yeah, so that means we hadn't met, right,
right, well, my hometown is 1200people, so that's small and it
has, uh, one grocery store, onecar dealership and three bars.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
that's what they do in southern orleans growing.
But you know that's that itlies the beauty of Statesville
that I think people talk about.
You know Statesville I saysmall town living and it's not.
You know, the city ofStatesville is growing all the
time.
But I think one of the thingsthat a lot of people focus on
and things like the eveningfarmer's market really
contribute is to the small townatmosphere that exists here in
Statesville.
That's an appeal and that'sright.
The podcast has been so greatand engaging for us it's kind of
(17:23):
helping make more of thoseconnections.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
We want to nurture that and help grow the like
Madge's favorite time when therewere more customers and more
vendors.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
We want to help.
See, we want that to come backtoo.
It's a great place.
I always think, Well, bring afriend when you come to the
market, well, bring a friend.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Need a friend.
There you go, byron, your firstvideo.
Have her doing that right there.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Bring a friend, recommend a friend.
But you know we get a lot offamilies, mothers with the
strollers and dogs and it's allwelcome, you know, and all that
and they're fun to mess aroundwith and have them there and
entertain the kids and all that.
And, like I said, kids Day inSeptember and we'll have the
fire truck there and the policethere and all that fun stuff and
the ice cream and all that.
So we did that last year and itwas a big event.
It went off really well, sowe're going to do it again.
(18:07):
Try and see what happens.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, do you know which Thursday in September?
Speaker 4 (18:11):
that is, it'll be the first Thursday.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
First Thursday Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
And pretty much rain or shine on the market, unless
the conditions are justabsolutely terrible, and I guess
that up to a lot of the vendorstoo, if they choose to show up
or not.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
It depends.
Like last week or a coupleweeks ago or whatever, it was
really rainy hard and it's like,yeah, even customers weren't
going to come out.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
I think we had one show up Because Madge and I will
show up and make sure.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
We were there, well, just to make sure people are
informed.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
You're there rain or shine, Just to make sure anyway,
right?
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Just to make sure, but it was last week was a very
strange weather.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Well, we've had a lot of weather.
It just comes in so fast and itgoes out and it's like, well,
what?
Speaker 1 (18:54):
happened.
You can't control the weather.
No, you can't they battle thatwith Friday after five all the
time.
Oh sure, Everybody's excitedfor the concert and you just
don't know until you know right.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Yeah, a little dangerous being on stage with
electric.
I played in bands in the late70s.
You don't want to be wateringmicrophones, Right?
That's a bad mix.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
That's an expensive repair.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yes, it is Tell our listeners, our followers, how
they can connect with theEvening Farmers Market through
the website, all the channels.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
The website is theeveningfarmersmarketcom.
You can go there on Facebook,obviously the Evening Farmers
Market and on Instagram as well.
Those are our three primarychannels right now.
I'm looking to expand that alittle bit, but those are the
ones I'm most familiar with andI think we get the most traction
with at this point in time.
And all that and theapplications on there.
It's easy to find If you wantto come out and try it out.
(19:51):
One time we charge a $20application fee and then $20 per
month.
No, that's not bad at all no andit's yeah, it's an inexpensive
way to come out and try yourstuff out.
Sometimes it works, sometimesit doesn't.
We have people that try stuffand it's like, well, that wasn't
quite the mark here, but ithelps promote them, you know
type of thing.
So I will promote new vendorsand all that and they get a
little pressed that way and allthat.
So that's how you would find usprimarily.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Yeah, okay, and then every Thursday yeah show up.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
The best way to find them is to show up.
Yeah, be about it, but I alwaysthink that new vendors need to
know that you have to come morethan once, because you might not
sell a whole lot the first time, but when people start to know
you then that will get better.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
That's a good advice You've got to lean into it.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
It takes time, my wife with her pottery.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
the first few weeks out there she didn't sell much
and now she sells quite a bitevery time.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I think people seek her out now.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
Yeah, they do, yeah, they're looking for her.
It's like, oh, there you are.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
My husband's like please don't buy another one of
those Statesville cups.
I've got one everywhere.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
But I love them the mug, but then they do.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
And she has something you guys do so much other stuff
too.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Oh, she does something with the little feet
on the beach and stuff like thatand everybody's like, oh, I've
got to have another one.
Those are the gnomes.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Yeah, the gnomes.
Everybody goes nuts for theirgnomes.
The gnomes craze.
Those are some cute gnomes, sohad lots of notes, anything that
you want.
To make sure to tell peopleabout the evening farmer's
market.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
Oh, just that.
You know.
We're here for the community,we're here to you know, do.
Yeah, I'm going to say that wasmy cue, you know, to help to
serve the community and itsneeds.
And if you have questions aboutyou know growing things
yourself or where to get certainthings, because we can't, we
don't have everything there,obviously it'd be impossible to
have all that stuff and it'slike I'm looking for this or
that and the other and we mightour vast knowledge and match
(21:47):
here.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
You know people, you know people.
Yeah, you got a guy, you got aguy, I got a guy for that.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
And I'll get you hooked up.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Hey, that's what community is all about, that's
right.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
But that's the important part, I think, is just
come out and say hello and ifyou've got questions, don't be
afraid to ask.
You know that's what we're for.
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Well, we sure feel blessed to have you guys be a
part of the patchwork that makesup our amazing community and to
have had you here for 25 years.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
That's right, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
You should be really proud.
I hope, madge, you're veryproud of that, and we'd love to
see it continue to grow, livingthrough that passion.
So we're excited about that.
And Richard I would like tothank you for one year of coming
along for this adventure.
Hopefully, we can at least makeit one more year.
We're almost booked out, soyeah, the farther we book out
(22:41):
the more commitment.
But if you know something youwant us to feature here on
Discover Statesville the podcast, please reach out, Go to
statesvillenccom and then hitcontact us.
We'd like to thank theStatesville Convention and
Visitor's Bureau for making thispodcast possible for us to
bring you these amazing humansand amazing stories and get to
know them better, and we hopeyou'll tune in next week.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Thanks everyone.
We'll see you at the market.
Thanks, that's right.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Bye.
Thank you for joining DiscoverStatesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
(23:27):
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
Discover Statesful.
Stop scrolling everyone.
We've got tons to celebrate andyou're going to want to tune in
now to find out more.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Welcome to Discover Statesville, the show that takes
you on a captivating journeythrough the heart of one of
North Carolina's most charmingtowns.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Welcome back to Discover Statesville.
Today we're joined by Byron andMadge with the Evening Farmer's
Market at Pecan Park.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Welcome y'all Thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Glad to be here.
So my understanding is thatwe're celebrating 25 years of
the Evening Farmer's Market atPecan Park.
Matt, you've been involved fora long time.
Can you tell us a little bitabout how the Farmer's Market
got started?
Speaker 5 (00:32):
Well, I started going in 1999, and that is when
Edward Marshall had started it.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
And well, that was the beginning, Just been going
ever since huh, it's been goingever since, right, he was just a
young passionate guy.
Speaker 5 (00:52):
Then right, right, and he came that year but he
didn't come back in like what2000,.
But the market continued on.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
So in that first year or two in 1999, how many
vendors did you guys haveinvolved?
Speaker 5 (01:10):
I can't remember but we had.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
I mean we had Still a variety of different things
produce.
Yeah, Okay.
Speaker 5 (01:17):
Making people come to the market and come back.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Sure, yeah, today we have about two dozen vendors
that rotate through.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Today you do yeah.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Okay, depending on what's in.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Yeah, what's in season?
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Right.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So, matt, you're the for lack of a better word for me
the operations manager.
You run the evening farmer'smarket now and keep it all going
right.
Have you been doing that since2000?
Okay, nobody else will do it,but everyone's very grateful.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Everyone's very grateful that you do it.
That's right we have.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
So what tell us about your passion for the market?
What made you decide 24 yearsago to jump in and help keep it
going and do all the greatthings that led us to where we
are today?
Speaker 5 (02:06):
Well, to me, a market is not only just going there to
sell, it's a community eventand to see people, to talk to
people and all the things thatgo on is what keeps me going,
right, right.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
We have a lot of people who come every week and
sometimes they're not buying,they just sit and they chat with
people.
It's just a nice opportunity.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
It's a great use of the park there's live music a
lot of the time.
I mean, it's just a really neatactivity.
It's become sort of adestination in downtown on
Thursday nights.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Now Mash, do you sell , do you do any farming or
crafting, or do you just keepthe market going?
Speaker 5 (02:49):
No, I grow and sell herbs.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I was going to jump in and say it, but I was like I
do it, cindy stop, I know whatshe does.
Speaker 5 (02:59):
That has been my life since I came to Statesville.
Okay, because we bought landout in Cool Spring and I'll tell
you the whole story.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
We want you to.
Speaker 5 (03:13):
My husband said I went to college so I didn't have
to farm, but I wanted land andto farm.
Okay, so at least he consentedand we did buy a few acres and
live out in the county.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
All right, so you've been growing herbs ever since.
Did you do that before you gotinvolved in the farmer's market?
Speaker 5 (03:39):
I can't remember what got me started.
What started that?
But herbs can grab you and takehold and make you go.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Lots of benefits with growing them and I think really
cool, not one of those vendorsthat you see at some farmer's
markets.
You know everybody's growingvegetables or different types of
produce and stuff, so I thinkhaving you know, having an herb
vendor is pretty neat.
Speaker 5 (04:05):
Well, right, and there's so much that we have
lost our connection to herbs andI think that it's time.
A lot of it's coming back now,and I think that's absolutely a
great thing.
If people learn more how to usethem, that's a benefit to to
(04:26):
them too.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
So yeah, because one of the things about the market,
of most farmer markets and oursin particular, is we're
encouraging people to learn howto grow stuff on their own and
be a little more self-sufficient.
You know, yeah, certainly wewant to come by our products
that are there, but you know,learn how to properly.
You know plant stuff and growtomatoes or whatever on your own
.
In fact, we just recently had ademonstration where the
(04:48):
agriculture students fromMitchell Community College came
in and showed everybody how tolike plant pumpkins and stuff
and they answered gardeningquestions.
So I think that's an importantprocess as well to involve the
community in themselves, getback to their own little
gardening, because that wassomething that was done back in
the war era and all that, andwe've kind of gotten away from
that as our community grew.
But now we're going back tothose roots and I think that's
(05:09):
an important part of thefarmer's market.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Oh yeah, I'm glad you said that because, yeah, that's
a real resource for if you'vegot even if you've got container
gardens in your backyard, beingable to bring something yours
and say why doesn't my tomatolook like your tomato?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
let my tomato look like your tomato and get some
tips from the people that aredoing this professionally.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I mean, I think that's you know, because our
tomatoes don't look like those.
It's like what's wrong.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
No, I think that's great, that's a great resource,
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
I'm a hobby gardener.
I've got three containers now.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
So it's three birthdays in a row.
My husband has built me anabove ground garden in our
backyard, and he does most ofthe work.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
I picked the vegetables, but he does and he
but he does make sure I have togo out there and pick it.
He's not doing that and andthen putting it in recipes.
But couldn't possibly um bringtogether all the amazing things
you guys have out there at thefarmer's market?
And I'm glad you mentioned umkind of the program you guys are
doing, because we talked alittle bit before we started
(06:14):
recording and um byron, you weretelling us, or madge was
telling me, how amazing you areas you pulled up outside um you
guys are, you're helping thefarmer's market more recently go
to another level, rightdigitally, and help reach people
.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
I've revamped the website and I've uh, got their
social media going on facebookand instagram and all that.
That's kind of my background isin doing some web work, but I'm
also an illustrator andcartoonist stuff, but, um, you
know, and so that I brought thatexpertise to them and it's
helped, you know, the awarenessof the market and just like we
just put a post that's kind ofwhy I was late I was putting a
post up about the, about thecurrent thing going on today, so
(06:51):
it, uh, you know.
But, but to go back to thegardening thing, we just, uh, I
moved here about five years agofrom illinois.
Uh, my son went to school inmooresville and we chose
statesville, um, because we likethe community.
I was born in southern illinoisand I went, hey, this is like
this is great, you know, andthese are my people.
And so we just recently boughtanother home out in, excuse me,
(07:13):
in Cold Springs Cold Springs,near her and it's a full acre
and we are just starting to putour above ground planting in.
And because I went to theMitchell College guys and I said
, hey, how do you do this?
And my son's really into this,so I I'm glad to see my
27-year-old is getting the bugto grow things.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
We need more people to get the bug.
Yeah, yeah, not the bugs.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
Right, we get rid of the bugs and how to get rid of
the bugs, naturally.
But anyway, there you go, thereyou go, but how to get the
insect to grow and be a littlemore self-sufficient.
My wife's getting ready to makesalsa out of the tomatoes she
grew out there and he's got somehuge peppers growing and he's
going to burn my mouth, I'm sure, with something, because he
loves that kind of stuff.
But it's good to see a youngergeneration getting involved back
(07:54):
in that an interest in that.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So you guys are planning ongoing.
Well, for those of you who'venot been to the evening farmer's
market, or for listeners whomay not be in Statesville, it
happens.
Tell us when.
It happens Every Thursday.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
From 3.30 to 6 in Pecan Park, at the corner of
what Water and whatever downtown.
Downtown Statesville yeah, yep,right down there Center Street,
yeah, yes, and all that.
And it's a lovely park, it'sshaded and it's great and we
have tons of vendors, but youknow, and there's all types of
things available.
You know they have, we have.
You know they have, we have.
You know, of course, we havefarmers products as well, but we
(08:29):
also have pottery.
We have her herbs, uh, herbs,and there's a is it herb?
Herb anyway, pecan they're like.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
He's from illinois, I can tell anyway, but the way I
thought, musicians you have somemusicians coming in and anybody
that wants to come and play forus is welcome to come.
Speaker 5 (08:52):
Just let us know and we put the tip jar out and they
really make the market a greatafternoon when we have music.
So we're always ready for moremusic.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
And if we're going into the fall already.
Oh my goodness, summer's almostover, but anyway, we have a lot
more demonstrations going on.
We'll have our kids' day inSeptember after kids get back to
school, a little treat for them.
So there's all types of thingswe do throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Okay, and the season you guys usually kick off in May
.
April 1st April, 1st Okay.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
We're April through October.
Okay, so we have what?
August, september?
We have three more months to goso lots of time, lots of time,
oh yeah, lots of time for lotsof music, and it's been a hot
summer, so it'll be, nice tohave some nice trees.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
There has been lots of rain, which we needed.
There's drought in the city, sothey were going to stop us from
watering, so we're glad to haveall that rain.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I think it was close.
There was a drought.
We're moving in the rightdirection.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Thankful for all that rain.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
Well, and I will also mention Pecan Park, is in the
downtown social district.
So that's another aspect thatnow you know you go by Red
Buffalo, you get a pint, you canwalk over peruse the farmer's
market live by Red Buffalo youcan get a pint.
Speaker 4 (10:09):
You can walk over, peruse the farmer's market, live
music.
Joe's very kind.
He brings us out beer once in awhile.
There's no reason, even ifyou're like.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
I don't think that's for me Now.
There's really no reason to notgo check out the market.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Why is Joe Bondi coming up at every it seems like
every podcast we're doing Goodbusiness model that guy's built.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Build a business around beer.
Maybe people will enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Keep up that good engagement there, Joe.
We're glad to have Joe.
Joe Bondi is on the board ofdirectors for the Statesville
Convention and Visitors Bureau,who I work for, so we're glad he
shows up at the market.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Almost every week he buys stuff.
Speaker 4 (10:41):
He buys flowers for his wife when he screws up.
Not that he's done that Well,and I think that's another great
one.
Speaker 3 (10:49):
You mentioned herbs.
You know you've got flowervendors, so I mean, there really
is something for everybodythere, there's pastries, there's
all types of things.
Speaker 4 (10:53):
My wife's pottery is there and so she does.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Madge, do you have a favorite memory or something
that really stands?
I mean, 25 years is a reallylong time for that market to be
thriving.
Yeah, do, yeah.
Do you have a story orsomething you're like?
Speaker 5 (11:11):
oh, I missed that time.
Well, we have had years wherewe have had more vendors and
customers and I miss that andI'm hoping that we kind of get
that back.
Yeah, that would be my goal.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Did you hear that?
Everyone you need to come outand help Madge celebrate 25
years.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
The pandemic kind of shifted things for our whole
society.
Society, sure, and people arenow just kind of getting back in
their old routine, so it helpsyeah and all that more people
started gardening right.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, and it became.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
You know, things like farmers markets were a real
resource and I think I rememberimagine I talking back in 2020
about about the ability to hostthe market because of some of
the restrictions were in placewith social distancing and
things and but it was.
It was one of the conversationsthat we were having about gosh.
You know, this is a real needfor something like a farmer's
market.
You know, when you didn't knowabout grocery store and
everything, it was kind of likegosh.
(12:00):
This is an opportunity forpeople to shop outside, access
to fresh food, um, so that youknow a real need for those, uh,
for the markets.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
Back in, absolutely byron, I think I'm talking out
of turn so I might beembarrassing myself, but you
look familiar to me and youmentioned you're a cartoonist
and it kind of clicked for meWere you at the art crawl with
some of your work.
Speaker 4 (12:17):
Well, I was there with my wife.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
She does the pottery.
She does the pottery.
Yeah, what a crock.
She does the stateful mugs.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Yeah, you know the water crock, I thought.
So I was like, wait a minute,cartoonist, I saw him.
Well, I do the Comic-Con herein town and I do the one up in
Wilkesboro and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
The Comic-Con's great .
Oh yeah, we have them on theshow.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
And part of the reason that appealed coming out
to the East Coast from theMidwest is in Chicagoland
there's really one or two bigand I think that's great.
We're getting off from thefarmer's market.
But it goes to community againthat you have this community and
(12:57):
you're built on that and youhave people that do these types
of things and that's an appeal.
It's like, wow, come down here,like you said, hang out at the
variety of vendors you havedowntown and all that and the
things that are available.
But yeah, she's done the artcrawl a couple times, been very
good for her and all that.
And yeah, I probably shouldbring my art out.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
You were at the vault this last time because we did a
mug giveaway, yes, so yeah, Ilove all of her work, but yeah,
it's not off topic.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
She's a maker and you know you have makers at the
farmer's market.
Yeah, like you're talking about, I mean, as you're looking for
more vendors.
You know, if people are outthere that think, oh, I'm not a
fit for a farmer's market, maybethey are and they just don't
realize that there's thingsbesides just locally grown
produce and herbs.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
Yeah, as long as you make it yourself, that's fine.
That's only a requirement.
Speaker 5 (13:38):
I mean look, at it and grow it.
The rule is you have, thenyou're welcome to come to our
pharmacy.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
Come try it out, yeah , now taking new local vendors.
Speaker 4 (13:51):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
We want.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
we're talking about community and that's that's
really what it's all about.
And you said, um, um, somethingyou said a minute ago that
stuck with me.
These are my people and what wehave heard over the past year
of doing this podcast.
I said at the beginning we havelots to celebrate and be remiss
not to say Yay, richard, we'vebeen doing this a year.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
We can make it 25?
I don't buy it.
That's pretty crazy though.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
A year's crazy 25 years.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
I'm crazy 25 years.
I'm not going to commit to that, but I'm still in it.
I'm in it for now.
There you go.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Richard said fool me once.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
I have at least 15 years left with the city.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
Yeah, Richard tells the story sometimes that I told
him it was going to be a podcast, that we were going to be
talking.
He did not know it was going tobe video too, until I showed up
.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
Yeah, like for the first one.
Yeah, it's like well, what's?
Speaker 1 (14:45):
that, for I accidentally.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
Yeah, the old jokes you have a face for radio yeah,
no kidding, man no kidding anduh, my news, my broadcast news
day is you know, it was like Iwas always behind the camera.
I was yeah, no, I didn't wantto be in front yeah but it's
been great.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
I'm surprised that it's been a year.
We've learned a ton about thelocal community, which is
certainly impressive consideringhow long Cindy and I both have
lived here, and learning moreevery week.
So it's been great.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
I mean, once a week we have somebody come by and go
I didn't know you were here andit's like, well, go check us out
on the social media and allthat.
And they're just like, wow,this is great.
And particularly when theschools are in session, the
schools let out near us andpeople drive by and go, oh,
there's something down there.
And it's like, yeah, we havesigns and all that out.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But it's all the little things.
I mean the sign that helps.
You know, you guys put out thesandwich boards.
That's a big deal, but I thinkincreasing the presence on
social media is certainly goingto, you know, is making a big
impact.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
Yeah, I'm going to look into doing more, and I've
been hesitant to do that becausepeople are kind of camera shy.
Sometimes it's like, oh my God,yeah, yeah, as I just said, I'm
the one behind it, but you know, I want to increase our
presence a little bit on that aswell.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, well, like Richard said, gosh, I've been
here for 20 years.
Richard grew up here.
But if someone asked me if Iknew Madge, I'd say yes, because
she's Madge right EveningFarmers Market and I've heard
her name so many times.
And when I met her for thefirst time today she said oh yes
, I know your name, like I'veheard your name, but I mean I
(16:12):
come to the farmers marketbusiness owner downtown.
Madge is downtown.
Like, for example, when I firstsaw you, I was like I recognize
him but I don't know where.
I thought you.
I was like I recognize him butI don't know where I've bought
something from you.
But it's really cool for us toreally have the opportunity to
sit down and get to know people.
Small town living it's a smalltown, but not as small as you
(16:35):
think.
Imagine I've never met.
I don't believe.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
I'm sorry for that but I'm glad to have met you
today.
I've seen your pictures on theinternet, so that believe in.
I'm sorry for that, but I'mglad to have met you today.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I've seen your pictures.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
Yeah, yeah, so that means we hadn't met, right,
right, well, my hometown is 1200people, so that's small and it
has, uh, one grocery store, onecar dealership and three bars.
Speaker 3 (17:01):
that's what they do in southern orleans growing.
But you know that's that itlies the beauty of Statesville
that I think people talk about.
You know Statesville I saysmall town living and it's not.
You know, the city ofStatesville is growing all the
time.
But I think one of the thingsthat a lot of people focus on
and things like the eveningfarmer's market really
contribute is to the small townatmosphere that exists here in
Statesville.
That's an appeal and that'sright.
The podcast has been so greatand engaging for us it's kind of
(17:23):
helping make more of thoseconnections.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
We want to nurture that and help grow the like
Madge's favorite time when therewere more customers and more
vendors.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
We want to help.
See, we want that to come backtoo.
It's a great place.
I always think, Well, bring afriend when you come to the
market, well, bring a friend.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
Need a friend.
There you go, byron, your firstvideo.
Have her doing that right there.
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Bring a friend, recommend a friend.
But you know we get a lot offamilies, mothers with the
strollers and dogs and it's allwelcome, you know, and all that
and they're fun to mess aroundwith and have them there and
entertain the kids and all that.
And, like I said, kids Day inSeptember and we'll have the
fire truck there and the policethere and all that fun stuff and
the ice cream and all that.
So we did that last year and itwas a big event.
It went off really well, sowe're going to do it again.
(18:07):
Try and see what happens.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
Yeah, do you know which Thursday in September?
Speaker 4 (18:11):
that is, it'll be the first Thursday.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
First Thursday Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
And pretty much rain or shine on the market, unless
the conditions are justabsolutely terrible, and I guess
that up to a lot of the vendorstoo, if they choose to show up
or not.
Speaker 4 (18:22):
It depends.
Like last week or a coupleweeks ago or whatever, it was
really rainy hard and it's like,yeah, even customers weren't
going to come out.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
I think we had one show up Because Madge and I will
show up and make sure.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
We were there, well, just to make sure people are
informed.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
You're there rain or shine, Just to make sure anyway,
right?
Speaker 5 (18:42):
Just to make sure, but it was last week was a very
strange weather.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
Well, we've had a lot of weather.
It just comes in so fast and itgoes out and it's like, well,
what?
Speaker 1 (18:54):
happened.
You can't control the weather.
No, you can't they battle thatwith Friday after five all the
time.
Oh sure, Everybody's excitedfor the concert and you just
don't know until you know right.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
Yeah, a little dangerous being on stage with
electric.
I played in bands in the late70s.
You don't want to be wateringmicrophones, Right?
That's a bad mix.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
That's an expensive repair.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yes, it is Tell our listeners, our followers, how
they can connect with theEvening Farmers Market through
the website, all the channels.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
The website is theeveningfarmersmarketcom.
You can go there on Facebook,obviously the Evening Farmers
Market and on Instagram as well.
Those are our three primarychannels right now.
I'm looking to expand that alittle bit, but those are the
ones I'm most familiar with andI think we get the most traction
with at this point in time.
And all that and theapplications on there.
It's easy to find If you wantto come out and try it out.
(19:51):
One time we charge a $20application fee and then $20 per
month.
No, that's not bad at all no andit's yeah, it's an inexpensive
way to come out and try yourstuff out.
Sometimes it works, sometimesit doesn't.
We have people that try stuffand it's like, well, that wasn't
quite the mark here, but ithelps promote them, you know
type of thing.
So I will promote new vendorsand all that and they get a
little pressed that way and allthat.
So that's how you would find usprimarily.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Yeah, okay, and then every Thursday yeah show up.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
The best way to find them is to show up.
Yeah, be about it, but I alwaysthink that new vendors need to
know that you have to come morethan once, because you might not
sell a whole lot the first time, but when people start to know
you then that will get better.
Speaker 1 (20:36):
That's a good advice You've got to lean into it.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
It takes time, my wife with her pottery.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
the first few weeks out there she didn't sell much
and now she sells quite a bitevery time.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
I think people seek her out now.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
Yeah, they do, yeah, they're looking for her.
It's like, oh, there you are.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
My husband's like please don't buy another one of
those Statesville cups.
I've got one everywhere.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
But I love them the mug, but then they do.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
And she has something you guys do so much other stuff
too.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Oh, she does something with the little feet
on the beach and stuff like thatand everybody's like, oh, I've
got to have another one.
Those are the gnomes.
Speaker 1 (21:10):
Yeah, the gnomes.
Everybody goes nuts for theirgnomes.
The gnomes craze.
Those are some cute gnomes, sohad lots of notes, anything that
you want.
To make sure to tell peopleabout the evening farmer's
market.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
Oh, just that.
You know.
We're here for the community,we're here to you know, do.
Yeah, I'm going to say that wasmy cue, you know, to help to
serve the community and itsneeds.
And if you have questions aboutyou know growing things
yourself or where to get certainthings, because we can't, we
don't have everything there,obviously it'd be impossible to
have all that stuff and it'slike I'm looking for this or
that and the other and we mightour vast knowledge and match
(21:47):
here.
Speaker 3 (21:47):
You know people, you know people.
Yeah, you got a guy, you got aguy, I got a guy for that.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
And I'll get you hooked up.
Speaker 3 (21:55):
Hey, that's what community is all about, that's
right.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
But that's the important part, I think, is just
come out and say hello and ifyou've got questions, don't be
afraid to ask.
You know that's what we're for.
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
Well, we sure feel blessed to have you guys be a
part of the patchwork that makesup our amazing community and to
have had you here for 25 years.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
That's right, that's amazing.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
You should be really proud.
I hope, madge, you're veryproud of that, and we'd love to
see it continue to grow, livingthrough that passion.
So we're excited about that.
And Richard I would like tothank you for one year of coming
along for this adventure.
Hopefully, we can at least makeit one more year.
We're almost booked out, soyeah, the farther we book out
(22:41):
the more commitment.
But if you know something youwant us to feature here on
Discover Statesville the podcast, please reach out, Go to
statesvillenccom and then hitcontact us.
We'd like to thank theStatesville Convention and
Visitor's Bureau for making thispodcast possible for us to
bring you these amazing humansand amazing stories and get to
know them better, and we hopeyou'll tune in next week.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Thanks everyone.
We'll see you at the market.
Thanks, that's right.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Bye.
Thank you for joining DiscoverStatesville.
You can email us at discover atstatesvillenccom.
Check us out on Facebook atDiscover Statesville, nc hashtag
Discover Statesville and ourwebsite statesvillenccom.
Catch us next week as wecontinue on our journey to
uncover the hidden gems,culinary adventures,
(23:27):
entertainment, and to beinspired and enlightened as we
Discover Statesful.
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