Mount Pleasant’s Downtown Treasure: The Market on Main

Past Greek Row and happy hour go-to, The Bird Bar & Grill, is a hidden downtown treasure – The Market on Main.

If you haven’t already strolled upon this homey artisan and specialty grocery store, do yourself a favor and start walking. Located right in the heart of downtown Mount Pleasant, the market offers more than 50 types of cheese from all over the world, hand-picked wines that are chosen with the customers taste in mind, small cooking classes, prepared meals and exclusive gift baskets.

But what sets this small specialty grocery store apart from the rest, according to co-owners Susan Paton and Emma Curie, is the quality ingredients and fun culinary twists offered to the community of Mount Pleasant.

Along with operating The Market on Main together, Paton and Curie previously ran a catering company together and continued in the culinary field by purchasing Mount Pleasant’s local Brass Café.

“We had owned and operated The Brass Café for over ten years when we started thinking about a store,” Paton said. “At food shows and other sources we often found specialty products and delicious cheeses and such that fit better in a retail setting than a restaurant one. So one day we (foolishly perhaps) decided ‘why not’?”

Paton shared what she believes are the top 3 sellers of the local artisan store.

“Cheese is of course at the top of the list,” she said. “There are a lot of cheese-mad folks in Mount Pleasant. Really all kinds of cheese sell, so it’s hard to pick a favorite from that. But, perhaps our “Ewephoria,” an aged sheep gouda from Holland.”

“For the second item I would say sandwiches are also very popular. Everyone has their favorite, but if pressed to pick one I would say the Italian Stallion. It features a lot of our deli meats that we slice in the store. And for the third popular item, I would say our ready-prepared meals. We offer the convenience of reheat-able meals for busy people who want home-cooked goodness with no artificial ingredients.”

With the new addition of indoor seating and a 10 percent discount for students who present a student ID, stopping in for a lunch treat is now convenient and oh-so delicious. So, do yourself a favor and next time you find yourself wanting a mouth-watering experience, please your palate and stop in. Don’t let this treasure be hidden.