Travelers Rest has several staple events and places, with one of the most iconic being the TR Farmers Market. While those of us who live in TR might take it for granted, it has not always been there. A small group of individuals led by Margie Vest created what is now the largest, independently-run, nonprofit farmers market in the state.
Mrs. Vest grew up and lived near TR and married into a family who owned a grocery store in TR. She raised her children in the community, always valuing health and fun, not only for her kids but for her community as a whole.
“She was focused on locally grown and produced stuff, so she would weekly drive up to the Hendersonville Co-Op. I think she just saw a need and her and her friends kicked off the Farmers Market,” said her son, Brantly. “I think one of her long term goals was that her and some of her friends would do a co-op similar to Hendersonville and that dream changed to her passion as the Farmers Market was extremely successful and what she loved to do.”
The Farmers Market began with ten vendors behind Sunrift Adventures, mostly farmers who Mrs. Vest had several different ties to. It has changed in size dramatically since its humble beginnings, now boasting over 100 vendors.
“When it first started, it was aggregating farmers to a central location. I think that it’s evolved to a place where people bring their families on a weekend. It still serves the needs of the community and has an entertainment value it didn’t have before,” Brantly shares. “The endeavor was that TR would have one of the best farmers markets in the state.”
The Farmers Market brings so much more than farmers to a central location now. The Farmers Market has over 60,000 annual visitors and shoppers, just one testament to its impact in a town of just under 8,000.
Brantly chalks part of its success to its location. “I think it’s uniquely positioned off the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I think a vibrant farmers market is good for all cities,” he says. Brantly confirms that the city is thrilled to support it in any way. He said the market vision is to build out the brand new this summer midweek market too. “This is the next step in the evolution of the market. I would love to see it open two or three nights a week.”
In May of this year, the pavilion at Trailblazer Park was named the Margie Pepper Vest Pavillion in honor of Mrs. Vest and the work she had done to better the community.
Mrs. Vest passed away two years ago, and when asked how she would like to be remembered, her son would say, “A friend said she would wouldn’t want to be remembered as the founder of the market, but it was an honor she entirely deserved. She wanted the farmers to thrive. She wanted to provide something for the community that was healthy and fun. She was someone that brought people together and endeavored to create a healthy thing for the community.”
