By Sarah Richardson
The Montwell Community Market will open as a producer market soon at a new, dedicated location at Montwell Commons in downtown Lewisburg beginning with the 2026 season. Montwell Commons is an eight-acre tract that includes the historic Fort Savannah site, currently home to The Old Red Mill Taphouse and Grill, as well as Amy’s Cakes and Cones. The market will be held on the center square in front of the Clingman Center building, an area that can accommodate more than 30 vendors and is equipped with ADA-compliant restrooms, WiFi, electricity, space for live music, a neighboring demonstration garden, parking, and other amenities.
According to the Montwell Commons website, the organization’s mission is “to enhance the well-being of the community by providing a safe and attractive venue where people can connect in a social environment, have access to locally sourced healthy food, and participate in recreation and educational activities in a natural environment.” Montwell Commons board member Florian Schleiff says hosting the farmer’s market has long been central to that vision.
“I’ve been a board member for 12 years, and from the beginning we envisioned this as an ideal space for a farmer’s market,” Schleiff said. “We shared that vision with many people in the community and have now reached out to our original donors to help complete the space with trees and a gazebo.”
That long-term planning is already visible on the site. Several years ago, the board re-graded the sloped property into upper and lower levels to improve accessibility and poured a concrete circle in front of the Clingman Center for a future gazebo – steps taken with the farmer’s market in mind.
The local Farmer’s Market has experienced a period of moving to several different locations in recent years. Schleiff believes the move to a dedicated downtown location will ultimately benefit the farmers and producers who make the market possible. He emphasizes that vendor input has been, and will continue to be, essential to every decision.
“At the heart of this are the farmers and producers,” Schleiff said. “We, the Montwell Commons board of directors, are stewards of this place and welcome farmers and producers to the space we have created. We envision a place with music, art, a place focused on community and education.”
To ensure vendors are actively represented, they plan to establish four vendor-designated seats within the market’s governing structure. These positions will represent meat producers; agricultural and plant-based vendors; prepared food vendors such as coffee, bagels, and soup; and artisans.
“Each group will have a representative, and that representative becomes part of the market board” Schleiff explained. “Alongside them will be one or two Montwell Commons board members and one or two community members who are invested in the market. Decisions will be made together, by consensus.”
It is anticipated that this board will meet monthly, or more often if needed, to address market operations and concerns. Schleiff stresses that listening to vendors is essential to the market’s success. “We will make decisions as a group,” he said.
The new location is also expected to improve accessibility for shoppers. “It’s centrally located, so people can walk in from near the courthouse or while shopping downtown and just come down the hill,” Schleiff said. “It feels like a good match.”
All previous farmer’s market vendors are encouraged to apply for space at the new location, and new local producers are also welcome. Vendor spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested vendors can email farmersmarketatmontwell@gmail.com or call 304-992-2555 for more information.
The market’s opening at Montwell Commons is scheduled to coincide with the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival on Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026.
