Charleston City Market, Charleston, SC

Strategic Planning, Management, Operations, Merchandising, Capital Improvements

The Market

In continuous operation since 1788, the market sheds were the city’s food hub for ages and are now home to a three-block-long craft market, art market and flea market showcasing a vast array of clothing, jewelry, art, books and exotica displayed by an eclectic community of vendors including Gullah speaking artisans who weave the famous straw baskets. The low slung, open-sided market sheds sit in the center of one of the most charming and active historic market districts in the United States.

The Job

Technical assistance involved working with the City of Charleston (owners of the market) to identify and select outside management charged with physically renovating the sheds and updating operations to make the market more appealing to locals and visitors alike. Another strategic outcome is to ease pedestrian connections between the market and surrounding district. Public workshops were held to get expert input from vendors, residents and surrounding businesses. New management was installed and a transition to ensure historic continuity and authenticity of this treasured institution is underway.