Farmer's Markets Return to Mooresville

This message content was provided by WCNC Charlotte and written by Matthew Ablon and Austin Walker.

The board of commissioners for the town of Mooresville has greenlit a new ordinance that will allow for the operation of open-air farmers markets, a move that comes after more than a year of a fight for a local market.

In a unanimous vote Monday night, the board authorized an amendment to the town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to allow for open-air agricultural markets on either permanent or temporary bases. The board found allowing open-air farmers markets was consistent with the OneMooresville Comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2019 to guide how the town adapts as the greater Charlotte metro area continues to grow. The amendment also was found not to be in conflict with other provisions of the UDO or any town regulations.

Under the new ordinance, up to 75% of an open-air farmer's market can sell food, be it fresh produce or prepared food products. The remaining 25% can be used to sell other new and handmade items, like soaps, artwork, candles, jewelry, pottery and more. However, markets won't be allowed to sell things like rugs, electronics, antiques, a selection of secondhand items, car parts, or musical instruments.

The ordinance also defines what makes a temporary open-air market versus a permanent one. Temporary markets operate for less than 180 cumulative days over 12 months and are limited to no more than a 10,000-square-foot area, but can use gravel for a parking lot. Permanent markets operate for more than 180 days, can operate within 35,000 square feet, must have on-site restrooms and must follow more rules beyond that.

The adoption of the new ordinance comes more than a year after commissioners previously decided against a temporary appeal to allow Josh's Farmers Market to continue operating at a temporary location on Joe Knox Avenue. Owner Josh Graham said he never asked for special treatment and has been operating in Mooresville for more than a decade.

However, new ordinances proposed in June 2023 were seen by Graham as targeting him and the farmer's market. The proposed rules were tabled for discussion that August.

Graham said he opened the market full-time in 2007 and have served thousands of customers each week. He said the previous ordinance would have made it challenging to operate. It forced him to hop around from location to location every three months and go outside of city limits.

“I had no intention of leaving because that’s where half of our customer base resides," Graham said. 

He said without the support from people, he wouldn't be here today, and thinks the new ordinance wouldn't have been passed.