Black Mountain Tailgate Market ‘springs’ up downtown
Spring Market Series kicks off on a sunny Saturday
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 8, 2026
The warmth of spring was in the air downtown, March 7, as the Black Mountain Tailgate Market partnered with Old Town District and Foothills Grange to introduce an eight-week series, hosted by the venues on Black Mountain Avenue and below Cherry Street.
The BMTM Spring Market, which will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., every Saturday in March and April, features an array of vendors offering locally sourced produce, meats, cheeses, handcrafted goods and live music, with food and beverages available nearby.
Dozens of area food producers and artisans filled the grass field behind The Grange and the gravel lot adjacent to OTD, where members and day vendors of the nonprofit market, which will enter its 32nd year when the main season resumes, Saturday, May 2, in its longtime location at the First Baptist Church of Black Mountain, erected tents with carefully arranged displays of goods.
The debut of the downtown spring series, intended to extend opportunities for area merchants, while increasing pedestrian traffic in the business district prior to the peak season, was successful, according to BMTM Director Jacqueline Smith.
“Within the first hour, or so, (Black Mountain Bagel LAB) sold out,” she said. “Overall, the response from the community has been wonderful.”
Vendors featured on the opening day represented small businesses in Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Fairview, Asheville, Old Fort and surrounding communities. Local potter James Young, who has attended the BMTM since childhood, was impressed by the turnout for the inaugural downtown market.
“My mom is a florist with Urban Farm Girl Flowers, so I’ve been at the market since I was a kid,” said the artist, who has been practicing pottery for seven years. “I think this spring market was a great idea. I’ve had people stopping by all morning, so I feel like the more, the merrier.”
James Young Pottery was one of more than a dozen artisans featured in the Cherry Pit, where potential customers strolled in through The Grange and Howachyn Walk. Old Fort painter Connie Hurst, owner of Art by Connie, sold four pieces within the first 90 minutes.
“I would say I paint whimsical things, like vegetables, animals and landscapes,” she said. “I try to put a little personality in all of them, even if they’re inanimate, like eggplants or tomatoes. I have fun with it.”
While her work has been featured in area galleries and shops, Hurst was eager to participate in BMTM’s spring series.
“When I found out they were taking applications for this, I jumped at the opportunity,” Hurst said. “I really love this mountain, and Jacqueline is fantastic, so this year I became a member so I can be here every week.”
The Cherry Pit setting featured a variety of crafts, including handmade pieces from Round Mountain Woodwork, owned and operated by Martin Goldfarb for a decade. His offerings ranged from cutting board to jewelry boxes, and included children’s toys like wands and airplanes.
“I started in junior high school, when I took woodshop,” said the east Asheville business owner. “I actually went to college to be a woodshop teacher, but I ended up doing carpentry before opening a cabinet shop. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing.”
While one venue within the bifurcated market spotlighted creators, the space behind OTD hosted area food producers. Locally sourced meats, coffee, sauces and baked goods were available, as live music echoed from the stage. In this setting, BMTM introduced its Nourish Appalachia Project, which promotes food access for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit holders while supporting small farmers and food producers.
Funded through community support, the Nourish Appalachia Project allows customers using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to receive a per dollar match, up to $20, during the spring markets. The program complements the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project initiative, which offers an additional $20 match for produce purchases.
The BMTM will host a Pi Day baking contest during the second week of the spring series to raise additional funds for the Nourish Appalachia Project, according to Smith. Entries and tastings are based on donations.
“We still need more bakers, so we encourage anyone to sign up,” she said. “It’s going to be fun, and it’s a great way to spread the word about Nourish Appalachia. This is a program we are hoping strengthen, so that is another big part of our spring series.”
Photos of the Black Mountain Tailgate Market Spring Market can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.