Ballantyne Farmers Market: Where Lunch Breaks Become Market Walks
It's 11:07 a.m. in Brixham Park and you can smell it before you see it — a tangle of fresh basil from Correll Family Farms, the faint tang of Michael's Exotic Peppers, and a kettle-corn sweetness drifting from It's Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn. At the Ballantyne Farmers Market, the first Wednesday of the month is less "midweek grind" and more "midday adventure."
There are no Saturday-morning jostles here. This is Ballantyne's only weekday market, running April through October from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., designed for office workers on a coffee break, parents between errands, and anyone who knows a ripe tomato waits for no one. The market's 30-plus vendors are as local as the conversations between stalls — and every single one has a story worth stopping for.
🚗 Sponsored Stroll: Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte
Just like the Ballantyne Farmers Market, Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte knows the value of experience over rush. You won't find anyone hustling you through a test-drive here — General Manager Tom Marcham and his team have spent 14 years making sure every interaction feels personal, whether you're eyeing an E-Class or just in for service. Located at 950 N Polk St in Pineville, they've been the #1 Mercedes dealer in a four-state region for five years running, but prefer to measure success in loyalty, not units. Schedule your luxury test-drive today at mbcharlotte.com or call 704-889-4444.
Who's at the Market
The market's vendor lineup is a buffet of local agriculture, small-batch food artistry, and specialty crafts. Every name below is clickable — so yes, you can pre-shop your next lunch break:
- Amillia Acres – Goat-milk soaps and lotions.
- Arin's Good Girl Treats – Dog treats, six ingredients or fewer.
- Baba & Pop's / Due North Pierogi Co. – Handmade pierogi.
- Bizzy Bee Honey – Raw and infused honey.
- Blue Goat – Flavored chèvres and caramel sauce.
- Cannizzaro Sauces – Marinara, vodka, and arrabbiata sauces.
- Coffee 46Hundred – Guatemalan craft coffee.
- Cold Water Creek Farms – Organic produce (Facebook).
- Correll Family Farms – Herbs and seasonal vegetables.
- Craftsman Beverage Co. – Cocktail and tea syrups.
- DJ's Pickles – Small-batch pickles and pickled beets.
- Carthage Fresh – Mediterranean dips (Facebook).
- DLV Tortillas – Flour and heirloom corn tortillas.
- Ekologicall – Eco-friendly personal and home care.
- Ernie's Smokehouse BBQ – Heat-and-eat smoked meats.
- Fairington Bakery – European-inspired breads and pastries.
- Gabor Farms – Mushrooms and produce.
- Hawley's Harvest – Olive oils and vinegars.
- It's Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn – 60+ flavors of kettle corn.
- Ivy Place – Seasonal berries and produce.
- JF Chocolat – Artisanal chocolates.
- Juiiced Up Reesy – Cold-pressed juices.
- La Cremerie Crue – Vegan cheeses.
- Maple Meal Prep – Ready-to-eat meals.
- Michael's Exotic Peppers – Hot sauces.
- MomMom's Bakery – Pies and baked goods.
- Mouna Bowa Farms – Organic microgreens.
- North Corner Haven – Grass-fed beef, pork, eggs.
- Paleo Farms – Pasture-raised chicken.
- Palm Pike Flower – Cut flowers and seeds.
- Pee Dee Premium – Grass-finished beef.
- Pink Daisy Candle – Soy candles and bath products.
- Purple Girl Designs – Gemstone jewelry.
- Saffron World – Saffron teas.
- Susie Bakes Cakes – Cupcakes and pastries (Instagram/Facebook).
- Sweet & Cozy Bakery – Gluten-free baked goods.
- Sweets & Savories by JoyMarie – Breakfast and pastries.
- Taste Preserved – Fruit spreads.
- Unbelievabuns – Low-carb breads and bagels.
Why It Works Midweek
The midday timing is intentional: fewer crowds, more conversation. You can actually chat with Paleo Farms about regenerative feed, or ask Taste Preserved how they get 75 % fruit into their jars without drowning it in sugar. And because the roster rotates, returning month after month isn't just encouraged — it's necessary.
📸 Send us your market photos or vendor stories at hello@mercurylocal.com — because everyone has a story worth sharing.
About the Author
Nell Thomas writes for Strolling Ballantyne and The Charlotte Mercury, which means her desk is somewhere between the Einstein Bros. Bagels Ballantyne espresso machine and the cinnamon twist rack. She swears the turkey sausage egg sandwich pairs best with a medium vanilla latte, but she's willing to re-test the theory for journalistic accuracy.
You can find more Ballantyne news, events, and delightful rabbit holes at strollingballantyne.com, where we cover Events, Hospitality, People, Pets, Politics, Real Estate, all things Ballantyne, plus our About Us, Privacy Policy, Contact Us, and Terms of Service.
Creative Commons License
© 2025 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, "Ballantyne Farmers Market: Where Lunch Breaks Become Market Walks," by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
"Ballantyne Farmers Market: Where Lunch Breaks Become Market Walks"
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)