Hub City Farmers Market, Spartanburg, SC

New Market, Feasibility Study

The Market

An outdoor farmers market at an underused train station on the edge of downtown.

The Job

The farmers market sponsor, the Spartanburg Nutrition Council, wanted to open a farmers market to address community health, downtown revitalization and food access for all residents. A site selection process was conducted and the historic Magnolia Street train station was chosen with recommendations to modify the exterior parking lot, garden, covered platforms and entrance to make them attractive and easy to use for the market’s commercial and social needs. Many of the well-received improvements were the result of a community planning process.

Once the site was selected, an operating, business and management plan provided the Spartanburg Nutrition Council with the tools to run a successful market that would be able to grow. The market has expanded to three locations, with the Magnolia Station its flagship and most popular. (In collaboration with PPS)