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Designing Convenience | 4th Street Market
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2020/11 - November
In its ambition to be “The Biltmore of Convenience Stores,” 4th Street Market is a quintessential Highlands experience. Think that’s hyperbole? Just allow yourself some extra time at 545 North Fourth Street.
Located across from the Highlands Rec Park on the Cashiers Road, 4th Street Market is not your average convenience store. Sure, you’ll find your standard fare like snacks and sodas, but the secret to their success is the wide selection of healthy grab-and-go items, perfect for a hike, an outdoor concert, or a picnic.
The kitchen serves the best coffee in town in addition to breakfast biscuits with egg, cheese, bacon and sausage, croissants, cinnamon rolls and donuts. And don’t miss out on their hot lunch offerings such as burgers, hotdogs, fries, salads, soups, and an assortment of cold deli sandwiches. The menu isn’t extensive, but “we have a good cross-section of fresh-prepared food,” Manager Todd Taylor said.
The store also focuses on made-in-North Carolina products, with a wide section of local products, such as; coffee, chocolates, honey, jams, t-shirts, candles and a variety of other locally made gifts. The market features the largest selection of craft beers in town, specialty wines, even a make your own milkshake station.
Owners Jimmy Reed and David Bock did their homework in designing and building this “high scale” market, but admit they couldn’t have done it without the boundless energy and experience of Taylor.
“We knew what the town needed was not a typical convenience store,” Bock said. That aspiration went into everything from the store exterior and interior design to the inventory stock to the customer service. The decor included 12-foot high ceilings painted black, black doors and windows, and old barn wood throughout the store. Iron and wood shelving sits on concrete floors.
“Customers tell us all the time how customer-friendly and service-oriented we are,” Taylor said.
“We want people to have a great experience when they visit us,” Bock added.
Hours are 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday they’re open 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. and Sundays, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.