History

On a summer morning in 1994, Mary Soyenova and Renate Rikker set up tables outside the Black Mountain Town Hall - selling produce to just five customers.

While Farmers Markets were plentiful across the United States, there was only one market (North Asheville Tailgate Market) in the area. With an abundance of produce, the blessing of the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, and a hand-printed sign, the pair opened the Valley Tailgate Market at the corner of Montreat Road and State Street - now, Town Square.

With low attendance and few vendors, the first three years of operation were a labor of love. But, in 1995, Mike and Linda Kazulen of Mike’s Produce joined in the orchestration and began to find ways to garner community participation. With the addition of local live music, Salsa and Apple Pie Contests, the Market began to come to life.

In 2002, under the leadership of Elaine and Harry Tamil, the weekly event became the Black Mountain Tailgate Market. It was moved to the grassy lot behind the Louises’ and SunTrust Bank. Under the Hamil’s leadership, the Market continued to prosper, and in 2007 it moved to the parking lot of the Unitarian Universalist of Swannanoa Valley.

In 2009, the Black Mountain Tailgate Market was established as an N.C. non-profit, complete with a Board of Directors and the addition of Market Manager, Joan Englehardt. First Baptist Church of Black Mountain,  then-pastor David Rayburn, allowed the Market to utilize the field on the west side of its property, hosting a single row of 20 vendors.

In 2020, Joan and community member, Robyn Josephs saw the market through the COVID-19 pandemic. When global and regional food systems collapsed, and shopping for essentials became an act of courage and an exercise of strategic thinking, our open-air little market and all of our farmers and food producers rose to the challenge. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene reaped unspeakable havoc on these mountains - its waters, soil, and people. Stephanie Byars, a long-time customer, talented CPA, and small business-owner (who just happens to be passionate about fostering healthy food systems) helped BMTM raise almost $40,000 for rural families and farmers. In January of 2025, we received our 501(c)3 status. In October of 2025, we navigated a government shutdown, won #1 in North Carolina and #7 in the nation in America's Farmers Market Celebration, and in Decemeber, we established The Nourish Appalachia Project... which will do just that.

So for us, the Haitian proverb rings true: "Dèyè mòn gen mòn.

Beyond mountains, there are mountains. 

Today, we celebrate 32 years of cultivating community and local goodness together - Facing grief and loss and challenge after challenge after challenge... together.  And this community is exactly what makes our market so special. You are invited to join us on our mission to meet each moment, rise to every occasion, and foster a brilliant, bountiful, and nourished world. We love you already.