Pepper Place Market

The Pepper Place Saturday Market is a gathering of local farmers, chefs, artists, and musicians that takes place on Saturday mornings at Pepper Place from late spring to early fall. It was started in 2000 by Cathy Sloss Jones, president of Sloss Real Estate, which owns Pepper Place. Her sister, Leigh Sloss-Corra, is the executive director of the market. Lisa Beasley has served as manager since 2009.

The idea of creating a weekly market for small farmers to connect with customers had been discussed for years. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries had tried to promote a statewide network of produce markets with little success. Chefs Frank Stitt and Franklin Biggs had been discussing the need when they heard about Jones' interest in creating a market at Pepper Place. They began working together with Danny Jones of Dublin Farms in Clanton to plan the project.

The family-oriented market features produce, herbs, flowers, and plants from Alabama growers; demonstrations and samples from local chefs; art from local artisans; and live music. As of 2007, approximately 6,000 people attend each Saturday. By 2019 that had grown to more than 10,000 customers.

References

• O'Hara, Jo Ellen (May 4, 2007) "Pepper Place Market opens next Saturday." The Birmingham News
• Carlton, Bob (May 14, 2010) "Alabama farmers and chefs return for 11th year at Pepper Place Saturday Market." The Birmingham News
• Estes, Cary (April 2020) "How Pepper Place grew a nationally acclaimed farmers market" Birmingham magazine