EASLEY — If you’re looking for farm fresh goodies — but spending a day picking your own isn’t your style — then does business owner Jesse Lowery have the place for you: The Farmacy.
The local produce venture was meant to open last Summer but, as Lowery put it, “life got in the way.”
“We had some health issues in the family and some other things happen,” she said. “I learned that just because you want something to happen doesn’t mean it will. But I didn’t give up and it all ended up working out OK.”
Lowery said in a way she was glad for the delay because the response to her shop has been so positive, she now feels more prepared to better serve her customers.
“I’m pleasantly overwhelmed,” she said. “Honestly, I never expected the turnout from people that we’ve had. This is incredible.”
Located in the old Gilstrap Grocery building at the fork in the road between East 3rd Avenue and South B Street, the Farmacy is easy enough to find.
“We chose Easley for a reason,”said Lowery. “Not only is this building iconic, but it’s necessary. Not that Easley is a ‘food desert’ but it’s just that there are so many farms around here that people don’t even know about. It’s my job to get them (the farmers) in my store — and out to the public.”
The shop is currently under what Lowery refers to as a “soft opening” but you wouldn’t know it from the constant flow of shoppers perusing the tables and shelves overflowing with fruits, veggies, eggs and honey.
“I’m my own worst critic,” she said, laughing. “I’m constantly in here moving things around. When we do have the grand opening — which will be soon — I want to have everything perfect by then.”
The produce and other products all come from families and farms within a (roughly) 200 mile radius.
“There’s such a variety of things available here, I want to keep it local and regional as much as possible,” she said. “I mean we have these heirloom tomatoes from a grower right here in Easley and then we have other things from Decatur, Georgia.”
Lowery plans for The Farmacy to be open year round, crediting the growing number of local farmers embracing hydroponics.
“Right now, I’m just thrilled with how everything is working out,” she said. “When my parents saw the feedback on social media they were like ‘You did it! You made it!’ and I said ‘No, I’m just getting started.’”
The Farmacy is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 508 South B Street in Easley.
