Henderson's Curb Market

“Henderson’s Curb Market” by Ida Briggs Henderson in the June, 1936 issue of Carolina Co-operator

More and more farm women of the State are finding their curb markets invaluable in marketing their farm produce. This article tells just how one successful curb market is operating.

On a recent visit to Hendersonville I was advised to go see the Henderson County Farmer’s Curb Market located on King Street, just one block off of the Main Street. This I found to be one of the most interesting places I have seen in Western North Carolina.  Not only interesting, but profitable, for this market is ranked as one of the leading institutions of its kind in the State vying for first place honors with the curb market of Rocky Mount.

The striking success of this venture has attracted State-wide attention from all who produce and handle crops, and county agents and farmers visit this market to learn the method of conducting it and to see what has contributed to its unprecedented success. Doubtless many unable to visit this market would be interested in learning this manner of its operation, so this article is written for their benefit. The data was secured from Mrs. Robert L. Costner, the courteous and capable manager who has been associated with this undertaking since its inception.

Started 10 Years Ago

The Curb Market, started 10 years ago, shows a record of remarkable growth. Begun as an open-air curb market on May 25, 1926, it first opened for business on the site of the old city hall on Main Street with around a dozen sellers there using the running boards of their cars and trucks as counters on which to display their goods. Some more enterprising ones, however, soon secured tables sheltered by large umbrellas to protect their wares from the wilting rays of the sun or the sudden showers of spring. The board of control for the first market attempt consisted of R.L. Fitzsimmins, chairman; Mrs. A.F. Coleman, Mrs. S.P. Williamson, D.P. Moss, Mrs. Earle Marshall, and Mrs. John Redding; the members of the board accord credit to E.F. Arnold, county agent, and Miss Everett, the home agent. These two conceived the idea and were untiring in their efforts to help the infant market get on its own feet.

The market grew rapidly, enough so that two years later, the institution moved to its present location on King Street. The lot was furnished by the Henderson Masonic Order, and the lumber for the first unit, which was 24’ by 60’, was furnished by a local lumber company. The farmers who expected to benefit by the use of the market gladly contributed free labor. Soon this structure became too small and a second edition was made to bring it up to its present size of 24’ by 100’. The front is entered by wide doors and numerous windows down the length let in bountiful light. A wide sign board across the entire upper front announces that this is the home of the Henderson County Farmers’ Curb Market.

Has Flourished

The market flourished and grew until it warranted being incorporated and rules and regulations made for its operation. O.B. Jones, who has served as county agent since 1927, has labored diligently for the good of this curb market, ably assisted by Mrs. Costner, manager, and the present board of control who are: Mrs. Will Hill, Mrs. S.J. Pittillo, Mrs. Clarence Page, John Lytle, and N.A. Melton. These workers solicited the aid and cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce, the Merchant’s Association, and the Women’s Clubs. The women boost the market and hunt up prospective customers. Through the Merchant’s Association is furnished a daily schedule of food prices which Mrs. Costner has posted on a board and the sellers conform to these prices.

Each seller pays 5 per cent of daily sales for the privileges enjoyed at the market, and as nothing can be displayed except Henderson County produce, there is no sales tax. At the close of the sales session the left over flowers are sent to the hospitals. This is a very generous and gracious gesture on the part of the salesladies, as the display of flowers is splendid. Somehow, flowers and vegetables seem to reach a state of high perfection in the mountain soil of alluvial richness, watered by the heavy dews and clouds of moisture which trail across the high-tops.

Craftsmen are allowed to sell outside the door, as there is no interior space for this purpose, and their wares are strictly of local make. . . buttons carved from fragrant dark hardwoods; lovely hardwood trays, boxes, and other like articles; hand-woven towels, scarves, bed spreads, and bags. Nothing, however, made outside of Henderson County. When market was opened there were only eight stalls! Today 150 line the floor space down each side of the market structure. In center of hall is kept the desk of Mrs. Costner, where she is kept busy making change, passing out bags and twine, and receiving the sale tax at the close of the days’ work.

Each stall is equipped by a table measuring from 3 to 5 feet on which they display their wares with open space beneath in which to store surplus stock. The seller is responsible for his or her individual booth and it is his duty to keep it clean and attractive. And indeed these booths are most attractive. The flowers above mentioned giving glowing beauty to the more prosaic produce.

The sellers pride themselves on the freshness and desirability of their vegetables, and the display of canned goods is one of the finest offered for sale in the entire State. On one counter is shown dozens of varieties of pickles, preserves, jellies, and canned fruits, and all as near perfection as the skill of the farmerettes can make them. They also sell seed and bulbs of flowers, and fine specimens of mountain conifers, rhododendron and boxwood . . . nicely packed ready for transportation, and Mrs. Clostner states that they take mail orders and ship shrubbery.

In summer time the mart is open each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, but during the winter months is only opened for business on Tuesdays and Saturdays.