Florence, South Carolina – On Saturday mornings in downtown Florence, a former railway warehouse becomes something more than a place to shop. Beneath the red-toned steel canopy at 200 Sanborn Street, farmers unload seasonal produce, makers arrange handcrafted items and neighbors gather around food, conversation and the familiar rhythm of a weekly market.
The City Center Farmers Market has grown into a year-round destination for local food and small-business opportunity. Open every Saturday, rain or shine, the market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with summer hours shifting to 8 a.m. to noon from June through August. Now, as part of Florence’s Local Food Initiative, organizers are inviting additional vendors to become part of its next chapter.
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The call is especially directed toward South Carolina farmers, growers and producers offering fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, meats, baked goods, honey, prepared foods and other value-added products. Artisans whose work is made in the state are also encouraged to apply. The message behind the city’s “Grow With Us” effort is simple: a stronger market brings more choices for shoppers and more opportunity for local businesses.
The market’s setting reflects Florence’s wider downtown renewal. City Center Market and Kitchen occupies a former Atlantic Coastline Railway warehouse that has been redesigned as a Food and Beverage District hub. Its canopy recalls the building’s earlier Quonset hut form, while repurposed wooden beams create an outdoor gathering area on the lawn.
Inside and around the facility, the project extends beyond Saturday sales. The site includes lease spaces for small food production businesses, incubator areas for emerging entrepreneurs and a commercial test kitchen available for rental around the clock at approximately $18 per hour. Nearby are historic downtown Florence, the city’s Recreation Headquarters, a gymnasium and an inclusive playground, placing the market within a broader community and wellness setting.
Florence launched the farmers market in April 2016, first operating from a breezeway on West Evans Street. As participation and public interest expanded, the market moved in early 2020 to its permanent Sanborn Street location.
In March 2025, residents and vendors marked five years at the site, celebrating a market that had remained active through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued providing access to fresh food and local products.
Each week, shoppers can find seasonal produce, herbs, flowers, meats, baked goods, jams, honey, soaps, goat milk lotions, prepared foods and handmade gifts. Food trucks and community organizations may also add to the experience.
With parking, indoor restrooms and a welcoming atmosphere, the market is designed not only for quick purchases, but also for families and neighbors to spend time together. Seasonal events, including the Annual Gift Market, bring additional vendors and live music into the mix.
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For prospective vendors, the market emphasizes local sourcing. Eligible products must be grown or made in South Carolina or use official SC Certified ingredients, with applications reviewed monthly by Local Foods Initiative staff and the Market Committee. Vendor opportunities include food and plant producers, artisans, mixed food-and-craft sellers, approved resellers, anchor tenants, nonprofits and service providers.
According to market information, participation costs $10 per market day or $100 for 13 market days. Vendor support includes a 10-by-10 canopy tent, an eight-foot table, assistance with setup and breakdown, available electricity and promotion through city channels. Rules covering labeling, sourcing, food safety and transparent resale practices remain part of the market’s focus on quality and trust.
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Those interested in applying, or recommending a local vendor, may contact Rick Englehorn at [email protected] or review information through the City Center Farmers Market website and the City of Florence City Center Market page.
For Florence, the market represents more than a Saturday stop. It is a place where fresh food, historic preservation, entrepreneurship and community life meet in the same space. As the city continues to grow, organizers are asking more local producers and makers to bring their goods to the table — and help shape what comes next.
