A Vision for Community with Shawn Zuniga and Amanda Ream

I talk with Shawn Zuniga and Amanda Ream at the grand opening of the South Charleston Farmers Market. Shawn shares that this market has been in the works for a couple of years. It was the mayor’s vision to create a space where the community could connect with local farmers and access fresh produce. The city’s Public Works department built almost the entire site, and now it’s open with 13 vendors, including eight local farmers. It’s located at 4006 MacCorkle Ave. SW, right off the interstate in South Charleston.

Shawn says they’re open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 7 and Sunday from 1 to 5. The market has flowers, produce, and West Virginia-grown goods. He encourages everyone to come out and support local farmers. As we talk, there’s a crowd gathering, media coverage, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It feels like a big step for the community.

Amanda from the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce joins me next. She says the idea has been floating around for years, and with development happening along the riverfront and near the new boat dock, now was the right time. She says this market adds to the quality of life the city focuses on. Amanda talks about how many people were already asking about the market before it was officially announced. Vendors reached out to them, not the other way around, and interest from the public was strong. She says the excitement has been building for a long time.

Amanda explains the market is not just about food but also about supporting local artisans and adding something beautiful and useful to everyday life. She says South Charleston is seeing growth, especially with the new Park Place development and road improvements on Jefferson Road. This market is one of several efforts aimed at building a stronger, more connected community.

To find out more about the South Charleston Farmers Market, Amanda recommends checking the Facebook page. That’s where they post hours, vendor info, and updates.