Maryville Corner Market is Maryville’s hub for local and organic foods
Just a 10-15-minute walk from my home in Beeson, is Maryville Corner Market at 800 Montvale Road. Many of you have likely passed the red harvest truck parked outside without knowing what the inside of Maryville Corner Market has to offer. This week, I decided to find out for myself.
Opened by husband and wife Michelle and Richard Bishop in November of 2016, Maryville Corner Market focuses on providing clean, local, organic foods to the Maryville community. In their own words, the people at Maryville Corner Market, “strive to create an atmosphere and experience that keeps you coming back time and time again for great food, conversation and community.”
The building has a long-standing history in Maryville. Before it was Maryville Corner Market, it housed Huff and McMurray, a local grocery store founded in the 1940s with the same intentions: to promote fresh food and community. In fact, the big, red Chevy pick-up of Maryville fame has remained there since the previous owners, as well as the store’s original cash register, which is on display in the gathering room of the shop although the room is not currently open to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Photo by Katie Conner.
When visiting the shop during this pandemic, customers should also wear face coverings and observe a six-foot distance between themself and others inside the building.
Encouraging Blount County to shop locally, the Market stocks as many local products possible, including about 50 of their own product labels. The Bishops also believe in keeping strong relationships with their vendors, some of which include Blackberry Farms, Benton’s Bacon, Eco Rich Farm and Knoxville’s Distributing Cherokee Co., although their produce and products change routinely.
The fresh fruits and veggies found at Maryville Corner Market are locally sourced, including these Blount County tomatoes for $2.99 a pound.
Photo by Katie Conner.
Maryville Corner Market has over 50 products with their own label on their shelves, including pickled vegetables, habanero salsa, relish and chow chow—an Appalachian favorite.
Photo by Katie Conner.
The people at Maryville Corner Market want to educate people on healthier food alternatives that are both nutritious and enjoyable. To Michelle Bishop, even a small change in someone’s life towards a more eco- and body-friendly diet is a step in the right direction.
Maryville Corner Market not only offers a selection of produce and other healthy products, but also offers a cafe menu, including items like their popular Chicken Salad Croissant. This was my entree of choice upon visiting the Market, and I paired it with a Kombucha drink from one of their coolers—neither disappointed.
Photos by Katie Conner
The Market also has consistently changing menu items available for curbside pick-up. In fact, they just released their Thanksgiving menu which includes classics like green bean casserole, glazed carrots and mashed potatoes. More information on their Thanksgiving menu and other ongoing specials can be found on their very active Facebook page.
With fall now in session, you can find select organic fall items like pumpkins, gourds and squash at Maryville Corner Market. I bought my pumpkin for $7.99 and named him Bertram.
Photo by Katie Conner.
Maryville Corner Market stocks many local brands, including Heirs Coffee, a specialty grade small batch coffee company based here in Blount County. Heirs Coffee offers a biweekly subscription starting at just $13.50.
Photo by Katie Conner.
The shop is open Mon. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, you can visit their Facebook page, website (maryvillecornermarket.com) or stop by and say hello in-person!
Maryville Corner Market offers carry-out services from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday. You can order locally sourced sandwiches, soups and salads on their cafe menu. See their website (maryvillecornermarket.com) or Facebook page for more information.
Photo by Katie Conner.
As always, I encourage you, Highland Echo reader, to support your local businesses like Maryville Corner Market. It is just one of the many, simple ways to do good on the largest possible scale.