GREENSBORO, Ga. — The Ripe Thing Market in Greensboro offers an extensive variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, amish jams and jellies, hand-scooped ice cream, flowers and a plethora of other products.

“The friendly atmosphere shows we care about our products and it’s very apparent in our store,” said Melissa League, general manager.

The number one seller at the Market is the tomatoes. There are more units of tomatoes sold than anything else. League said that is something that always brings customers into the Market.

In addition to the fresh produce and other items, the Market serves a lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. everyday they are open. Monday through Saturday they offer a full deli menu. Wednesday through Saturday there is also a daily special added to the menu. On Wednesdays they offer burgers, Thursdays they offer cuban sandwiches, Fridays are fish tacos and crab cakes and Saturday they offer barbecue.

When asked about what makes Ripe Thing Market stand out from other markets, League said that freshness is one of the main reasons.

“Freshness and having something unique that no one else has,” League said. “Most of our products are things no one else in town has.”

The Market’s staff also cooks for private and public events such as weddings and most recently a First Friday party. The First Friday even took place at the Oconee Brewery and the staff cooked a low country boil consisting of shrimp, corn, potatoes and sausage for 300 people.

League said that the event was very successful. She hopes to be able to do more events around the community but she has struggled to find employees recently to work at the Market. Due to this, she is limited in what events the Market can work.

“I’d love to do more events,” League said. “It’s great for the community outreach and networking.”

COVID-19 did not deter the market from success. League said she was surprised by the sales figures from 2020 and that success has carried over to 2021. She attributes the success to the more intimate atmosphere of the Market. People who did not feel comfortable going to larger stores patronized the Market.

For the upcoming year, League’s number one goal is to make sure her staff makes it through the end of the year and that everyone is successful. For her goals for the store, she wants to implement take home meals and prepare for the winter in which soup sales are huge.

“We want to be here for the community and bring these fresh products and good food to Greensboro,” League said.

 Ripe Thing Market is located at 112 W. Broad St. in Greensboro.