Mauldin Farmers Market at the Center of Road Widening

If there is such a thing as an institution in Mauldin, it might very well be in the person of Joel Ann Chandler, the longtime owner of the Mauldin Open-Air Market.

But now Chandler—and the market that has become synonymous with Mauldin for many in the Upstate—find themselves at the center of a project that she feels could harm the business she worked so hard to develop.

Chandler’s market sits at the intersection of Butler Road (identified as County Road 107 on the accompanying map) and County Road 941 (known as Corn Road to the west and Bridges Road to the east). It’s a spot that some think is critical if Mauldin is to achieve the prosperity for which it, and the rest of the Golden Strip, has long been predicted.

The intersection is also home to Mauldin High School and provides direct access to Mauldin from I-385. City Park and the Ray Hopkins Senior Center are also nearby. With each passing month, traffic at the intersection grows. A recent count estimated that 16,000 vehicles per day come through the area.

Talk of the area’s potential is not of particular concern to Chandler, who has built the farmers market up virtually from scratch. She estimates the market has been in existence for about 30 years.

“We started with two baskets of tomatoes,” she said. “We ate one and sold one. Now, I’ll put this market up against any around here.”

Chandler’s customers benefit from her commitment to freshness and buying local. She rises before dawn most mornings and drives a truck to any of several farms in nearby towns such as Asheville, Hendersonville and Chesnee, to name a few.

The market thrives despite the absence of the kind of 21st century technology that would seem to be necessary to operate a retail business. Some think it is the very absence of such amenities that makes the market appealing.

“When you go into her establishment you go back in time,” said State Sen. David Thomas, whose district counts the market as a constituent.

The market is open every day but Christmas and does not slow down much in colder months. Chandler’s network of suppliers and schedule resides in her head and hers alone. She has no partners. She does not own a computer. The market’s Web site is operated by a friend of Chandler’s in Florida. That said, it would be a mistake to dismiss Chandler’s business sense.

“Joel Ann is an extremely savvy businesswoman,” Thomas said.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is finding that out. Diagonal to the farmers market is 35 more acres of Chandler’s land which is a cattle farm. It is land that is not now, nor will ever be, for sale, according to Chandler. It is also the property that will be most affected by the right of way case between Chandler and SCDOT.*

SCDOT would like to widen East Butler Road and add turn lanes into and out of Bridges Road. To do so, they’ll need about an acre of Chandler’s property. It won’t affect the farmers market directly, but Chandler is concerned about the unintended consequences that would come with development. She’s not even convinced it will improve the flow of traffic, noting that work has already been done in the area to little or no effect. She wishes that more of a priority were given to the present instead of the future.

“This is a well-established business. (SCDOT) should be helping local business,” Chandler said. “If it was up to me none of this would take place.”

SCDOT did not respond to requests to discuss the project.

Though the market is served by Greenville County, city of Mauldin officials have been working with SCDOT and Chandler to find a solution that is amenable to all parties.

“We’re doing everything we can to make this process go smoothly,” said Mauldin City Administrator Trey Eubanks. “Joel Ann is a valuable member of our community.”

John Gardner, who leads Planning and Development for the city, also recognized the market’s importance both aesthetically and financially.

”The market gives Mauldin character,” Gardner said. “And we don’t have to spend taxpayer dollars to bring our community a farmers market like Fountain Inn and Simpsonville.”

Gardner believes the intersection is integral to Mauldin’s growth and is in need of an upgrade.

“We do want to show it as a gateway to Mauldin from traffic coming off I-385,” he said. “We want visitors to recognize that they’re in a place that people care about.”

But Chandler does not seem motivated by the potential future prosperity.

“This is not downtown Greenville,” she said. “There are certain parts of Mauldin that are just fine the way they are. I realize not everyone shares that opinion.”

Whatever changes come to the intersection it’s doubtful they will change Chandler.

“This is my hometown. I’ve lived here all my life,” she said. “We’ve been blessed by God and I’ll be working here until my toes turn up.”

*Correction - This sentence originally characterized the SCDOT project as an eminent domain case. That was incorrect. The project is one of right of way, meaning that SCDOT is seeking to purchase the property at fair market value. Should SCDOT and Chandler be unable to agree on a price the case would then be considered one of eminent domain. We apologize for the error.