A downtown Greensboro landmark that houses a unique product market and former deli has sold to new owners, who hope to continue bringing the business to shoppers.
The Ripe Thing Market has been sold to new proprietors, Richard and Whitney Lea, who own Scratchers Creek off Highway 44 and Commerce Drive.
The new store, Scratchers Creek City Market, hopes to attract a large customer base as Ripe Thing Market has enjoyed downtown for many years. It will offer fresh, locally sourced meat and seafood. It will also continue to offer the plethora of unique gifts, gourmet items, and freshly sourced produce Ripe Thing has offered. It will also reopen the deli that the lunch crowds have sorely missed.
The Leas reside in Greensboro with their three children. They have been in the area for the past twenty years and now live there full-time.
Richard holds several best barbecue titles throughout the South and has taught several cooking classes in Atlanta, making barbecue his specialty. Whitney ran a preschool in Atlanta for 17 years and will run the business while her husband will bring his culinary expertise to the new deli.
Specialty hometown markets often become the anchor of a community and help spur economic development in small towns. They cultivate a strong sense of community by bringing in locally sourced products from the surrounding areas and offer a unique opportunity from a concentrated market of consumers.
“We recognized immediately the appeal and charm of both the business and building,” said the Leas. “It has a special atmosphere that you can’t always find. It has a customer base that you cannot find elsewhere.”
The Ripe Thing Market had become downtown Greensboro’s favored eatery and whole foods market, becoming a downtown staple for over 10 years.
The business has evolved from a simple produce stand and morphed into a special place reminiscent of simpler times and the old markets of Europe. Housed in an old auto service center from the 1930s, it remains intact with historical charm.
“We will continue to offer fresh produce along with specialty cuts of meat, cheese and other dairy products,” said the Leas. “We hope to expand the existing outside area as a gathering spot for lunch and for shoppers to enjoy. We recognize the appeal of the space and hope to create a gathering spot for the community.”
The Leas hope to develop a series of classes, such as floral arranging and barbecue and hope to expand the existing ice cream offerings.
“We are really looking for input from our customers to see what interests them and put it in place,” said the Leas. “We need to evaluate what has worked, sold and what we need. We will work on the existing inventory and bring in what we need.”
The Leas will continue to operate their Lake Oconee store but look forward to exploring the many ideas generated by the purchase of Ripe Thing.
They are looking at offering a shop and delivery service to address the needs of busy customers looking for options beyond Publix or when visiting the area.
“We are so excited to be part of a growing community here,” said Richard.