Transylvania Times, Brevard, NC
Poppies Market & Café in Brevard has lost its lease and is closing its present location, but the store’s owners say they hope to reopen at a new site.
The existing space could be vacated as early as Sept. 15, according to Randy Baron, one of the business’ owners. Baron said their first priority was to make sure that all employees and vendors are paid what they are due before the store closes its doors. The store employs 35 people, full and part time.
“After the building was sold at auction, the new landlord presented us with a very firm rent structure, which is beyond what Poppies can support at its current level of business,” said the Poppies’ owners in a statement released Sunday on the store’s website. “We are working diligently to find a new location, and our plan is to open again to serve you.
“However, it will require us to be closed for an unknown time. This is where we need your (customer’s) help. We must sell our inventory, but it is imperative for us to build a cash reserve to cover moving expenses, pay our vendors and employees, so we’re asking for you to please come shop with us now. Then, as we get closer to closing, we will offer a scale of discounts based on your spending that will offer you savings, but still cover our costs.”
Baron, his wife, Joy, and Nancy and Joe DePippo own the store. Both couples live in Brevard. Baron began working on the Poppies project in 2003. The store opened in 2005.
Dennis Hulsing, a real estate and hotel developer from Asheville now owns Poppies’ current building and some adjacent condo units in the Market Street Center that remain for sale
Hulsing purchased the assets from Tranzon properties through an auction sale. Hulsing on Tuesday issued a press release.
“There are plans being finalized with very successful entrepreneurs to open a similar health oriented organic market and to expand on this concept,” the release said. “We are excited about what this might offer to the local community.”
Hulsing said Market Street Center has “struggled” because of the “inability of the previous owner to fulfill the vision of the original developers of the property.”
He said he has plans to improve the center’s aesthetics and to improve visibility.
“There are plans to also offer the vacant condo properties at very aggressive prices for purchase and/or leasing options to help the center thrive and grow to drive revenue and employment for the local economy in Brevard,” the release said. “Several interested parties have already shown interest in opening businesses in these vacant units.”
Hulsing said three vacant lots are also available for development.
“I have a long-term holding position of the grocery store building and center, and I’m making a commitment to the community of Brevard,” he said. “My plan is to provide a nice and appealing entrance to the Brevard area along Asheville Highway. We will keep everyone posted as our plans continue to develop.”
Hulsing owns three hotels in Asheville, three in the Midwest, two in the Johnson City, Tenn ., and Bristol, Va ., areas and has just taken over management of a Holiday Inn in Greensboro. He also owns Reliable Medical in North Carolina and Kansas, and Accucare and Mountain Area Sleep and Respiratory Center in Asheville. The corporate headquarters for the company is in Asheville. He has lived in Asheville with his family for 11 years.
Customers Respond
Jackie Whitmire, a local farmer, real estate agent and president of the Farm Bureau, said she was upset to hear that Poppies will be leaving its current location.
She said she wants to help Poppies to find “a place to continue their wonderful service to our county.”
“It grieves my heart to think of them not being able to continue as the icon they have established in our town,” she said. “The owners are some of the nicest people you will ever meet, and they have done so much for Transylvania County. They support local people and local producers. I appreciate that so much.”
Fain Self is another regular customer at Poppies. She is sad to hear the news.
“People are very loyal to them,” she said. “I feel terrible about it.”
Self said it seems like a “foolish gamble” for someone else to come in and operate at the space when Poppies has said they intend to relocate and continue the business. Bob Masengill, former chairman of the Transylvania County Commission, is a resident of Straus Park and patronizes the store.
“I’m very disappointed that they are being forced out,” he said. “That’s very unfortunate. They established a very unique business that was well received. I just hope they don’t put in some sort of eyesore near the entrance to Straus Park.”
In the statement on the website, Poppies’ owners said that despite what is happening they “want to celebrate everything that has made Poppies a part of this community.”
“Our last two shows on the Garden Stage are still happening,” the statement said. “We can’t think of a better way to end the summer and our time here than with the Moon Shine Babies this Saturday and then The Dangerous Gentlemens on Aug. 27. We don’t remember which exactly, but one of these two groups was our first musical event four years ago, so it seems fitting they be our last.”
By Mark Todd
Staff Writer
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