New market with fruits and veggies, bakery has opened in this popular Columbia area
A market with fresh produce, a bakery and a cafe has opened its doors in Columbia.
The Farmers Market Xchange kicked off its “soft opening” phase Friday, Sept. 1, at 912 Lady St. in the Vista downtown district, according to posts from the business on Facebook. The market is a project of Hopkins’ Toms Creek Family Farms.
The spot at 912 Lady formerly was home to Studio Cellar paint-and-sip art venue. Toms Creek initially announced in July 2022 that it planned to convert the space into a farmers market and cafe.
The former warehouse at 912 Lady St. was completed back in 1914, according to Historic Columbia, and was originally built for Kirkland Distribution Company.
“You cant miss us, located on the corner of Lincoln and Lady streets, just follow the fresh smell of coffee and bakery,” the Farmers Market Xchange posted on social media on Tuesday.
The Farmers Market Xchange is offering a host of fresh fruits and vegetables, including yellow squash, zucchini, peaches, apples and much more, per photos on its social media. The spot also will soon have a cafe with coffee and breakfast items. And it also carries jams and jellies, salad dressings, sodas, artisan cheeses and more.
“The idea came to us where we said, ‘Why don’t we do it the old fashioned way, where people can walk in and grab a couple of tomatoes or other items they will need that day?’” Neset Hikmet, a developer on the project whose family owns Toms Creek Family Farm, told The State in a previous interview. “They will know that it’s fresh and there would be a variety, because it may not be the same every day.”
