The Market Story

The Downtown Market was born from a simple vision shared by two good friends. Owners and business partners Bobby Potts and Josiah Hyatt present the Downtown Market to Asheville in hopes that it will serve as inspiration to those with an entrepreneurial spirit. This Market exists to inspire, cultivate, educate and reward those with the courage to follow their business dreams.

The Downtown Market is a reality because of the inspiration and ideas shared with them by their friends and peers. The Downtown Market thrives because of the faith, the friendships and the amazing energy that exists among those who visit and those who dwell within this One Bazaar Community.

Where it all began…

After attending Sylva Webster High (now Smokey Mountain High School), a young Bobby Potts joined the family grocery business, of which he eventually became the owner. In 1987, he decided to sell and get his real estate license. He co-owned and operated County Classic Real Estate for over 20 years in Sylva, while raising his three children. Then in 2001 Bobby made the decision to try something he’d always dreamed of…teaching. He moved to Asheville and joined the staff at AB Tech as the Real Estate Programs Coordinator, teaching broker and real estate licensing and continuing education. Today Bobby resides in the historic Montford community.

Josiah Hyatt developed a keen interest in real estate at the ripe old age of 16. By the time he graduated from AC Reynolds High School in 2004, he was already making plans to attend NC Real estate classes before the summer was out. And that is where Josiah met Bobby Potts for the first time, as his real estate instructor. Over the next year, the two bonded in friendship and upon receipt of his broker license in early 2005 at the age of 19, Josiah joined the real estate firm of Keller-Williams.

In 2007 Josiah began working with potential clients interested in a small tract of land located on S. French Broad Avenue. This tract was part of a much larger parcel including two commercial buildings. The primary building that was to become the Downtown Market was built in 1962 by the USDA as an Arieal photography lab, used to photograph farm tracts to determine the acreage. From 1991 to 2007, the building was owned by Industries for the Blind, where a host of products sold in military commissaries were produced. As Josiah began negotiations with the property owners, he sought the council of his good friend and teacher, Bobby Potts. As they studied the overall potential of the purchase, the two decided to form a partnership and purchase the buildings and tracts of land spanning 45 S. French Broad.

As the economy in 2007 began to decline, the prospective buyers decided the timing was not good for a real estate investment. The buildings set empty over the next 18 months and after attempts to lease out the primary 42,000 square foot plant failed, the duo began to worry about how the future economy would affect their large investment. Both quickly saw that a unique solution was needed, and they set out to find one. Bobby and Josiah discussed the idea of opening some type market for art or antiques. But they had no idea if that would be the highest or best use of the building. And in this economy, they could not afford to risk anything less.

Bobby sought the advice of a good friend and real estate instructor at a neighboring community college. She suggested posing the question to her students as a class project. Students were asked to review the zoning restrictions and building blueprints, and then make workable suggestions.  To Bobby and Josiah’s surprise, the students overwhelmingly recommended the concept of a public market. Thus was born the initial concept for the Downtown Market.

By September of 2009, the floor plan lay out and construction was in full swing.  In October, Bobby and Josiah expanded the company to include a full time marketing director. Pepper Parris joined the staff and immediately set out development of the first marketing plan to include advertising, public relations, media strategies and special events. Her former agency experiences include a decade with Price McNabb serving as a marketing and media strategist on accounts such as Coca-Cola, Honda and McDonalds. Most recently, she served as senior account manager at The Goss Agency working with the Cherokee Historical Association, Cherokee Tribal Government and Cherokee Travel and Promotions, as well working on event planning and public relations for several local clients and non-profit agencies.

Today, the Market is a vibrant and constantly changing community and a real work-in-progress. On a specific budget and time line, every weekend since the doors opened on October 17, 2009 have shown growth and progress. Big ideas written down on small pieces of paper have begun to materialize into realities. It has become a community of so many wonderful people from every walk of life. It is a place for those who live among us, beside us, across from us, and for those who visit us. It is a place where every sense is heightened by art, music, food, leisurely shopping and making new friends. You need only to visit once to feel the energy that defines this One Bazaar Community …and what it will become.

Currently housed inside the Market are a variety of merchants and services. Room for as many as 100 merchants available, shop for art, crafts, produce, hot foods, body products, clothing, jewelry, fleatiques and treasures for everyone.  Amazing Savings Grocery offers downtown Asheville’s only discount and organic groceries. In April, Amazing Savings will renovate and open a 7,000 square foot full service grocery store located inside the Market which will be open 7 days per week (stay tuned for more details!) The hi~fi Coffee Bar is now serving organic coffees and teas.The Culinary Canvas food court offers four merchants serving foods from around the world and back again. Our Local Foods & Farmers market continues to grow every week and as spring 2010 approaches, Focal Points Consignment Shop and our Eclectic Flea Market will become THE place to find Asheville’s best gift ideas and shopping bargains.