This longtime family business opens a second market selling produce in Midtown Columbus
The longtime family-run business Napier’s Produce began operating in Columbus in the 1960s, and now five generations later the family opened a second market in Midtown.
Jessie and Amber Napier first opened Napier’s Midtown Market this past spring and are planning a grand opening on June 7 beginning at 10 a.m.
The market offers produce like fresh fruits and vegetables. But customers can also find tropical plants and some fruits not commonly found in stores like a pink pineapple Napier’s Produce imported from Costa Rica.
They shell the peas sold at the market on-site with a customer pea sheller from Mississippi, Amber said. Along with the produce, customers can find a variety of jams, honey and other products like chow chow or kettle corn.
Fans of holiday cheer will be able to find seasonal pumpkins and Christmas Trees in the fall and winter.
This market will be selling the many of the same products customers have typically found at the first location on Double Churches Road, Amber said.
Jessie’s sister now runs the first location on Double Churches Road taking over for her father, Amber told the Ledger-Enquirer, as she and Jessie operate the new location.
The couple had already decided they wanted to open up another market, and searched for a location for about a year. They’d been considering Macon Road as a potential location, but didn’t have a specific property move into.
One day, they randomly drove by a spot just down the street from Macon Road at 2213 Wynnton Road and knew they’d found the spot.
It was in the perfect area, Amber said, and looking around there wasn’t much competition selling produce. Since opening up, they’ve received a warm welcome from the Midtown community, she said.
“We can move on in and try to connect with the community with some good, fresh fruits and vegetables,” Amber said.
A family business and good food
Napier’s Midtown Market is ultimately the quintessential family-owned business. And Jessie and Amber’s priority is to make their customers feel they’re also part of the family, she said.
“We try to get to know each and every one of y’all as much as we can,” Amber said. “We try to get names. We try to find out what your life is. We’ll sit here and have a whole conversation with you in the process.”
Customers shouldn’t be surprised to see the couple’s kids, John and Zoie, working at the market along with their parents. This is especially true during the summer while school is out.
“I get to meet a lot of new people,” Zoie said. “And if I ever get to see my friends, it’s going to be a lot of fun helping them a lot.”
Zoie helps with the cash register, Amber said, while John helps serve customers.
“It’s definitely a hands-on family experience,” she said. “They love it, too, as far as I know.”
During the grand opening, attendees will have a chance to win fruit and jam baskets. Breakfast will also be served, featuring french toast made from bread sold at the market.
“You should come to Napier’s,” Amber said. “We’ll let you try our product, and we can guarantee that it’s going to be good.”
This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 12:03 PM.
