Alas, The Market is Closed

One of the most anticipated days in the spring is the re-opening of the Whistle Stop Market. Only a mile from our house, the Whistle Stop offers fresh local produce all summer and most of the fall. Last weekend, the market closed for the winter.

Early every morning, local farmers pick vegetables and gather fresh eggs and bring them to the market.



No one seems to know why the market is named Whistle Stop. There never has been a train anywhere near the area. That was the name of the market when the current owners bought it, and that is the name it stayed.

In the fall, the main attraction is an extensive display of North Carolina apples.

There are many varieties, one for each person's taste or purpose.

Onions, potatoes, squash, and all seasonal vegetables are available. And they are all fresh and delicious. Boiled peanuts are very popular here. I must admit, I have never tried them. Fresh berries, peaches, plums and all local fruits are available in season. The market sells many varieties of corn all summer long, and in the fall, all sorts of nuts are available.

By far, the most popular summer items are tomatoes. I never knew there were so many varieties and we have tried most of them. Fresh tomatoes and cucumber with a little oil and vinegar make up our salads for most of the summer.

Inside the market are preserves, jams, jellies, honey (real Sourwood honey), pickles and relishes. Local baked goods are also available.

Like most local markets, the Whistle Stop sells antique kitchen ware.

Seasonal decorative items are always for sale. I took these photographs on closing day, so the pumpkins, gourds, dried corn, etc., predominated.

So we will now have to subsist on "store-bought" tomatoes and vegetables. But we know that, come the spring, the Whistle Stop will once again supply us with the freshest, most delicious vegetables that western North Carolina has to offer.