Poplar Grove's Open Air Market Returns May 21 With Local Vendors Under the Oaks

There's something about buying tomatoes from the person who grew them, chatting with a baker about her sourdough process, or picking up a handmade candle while standing beneath centuries-old oak trees that no grocery run can replicate. That's the Wednesday morning ritual Poplar Grove Plantation is bringing back this summer with the return of its Open Air Market, a free, midweek gathering of local farmers, food producers, and artisan makers on one of the Cape Fear region's most storied pieces of land.

Event Summary

The Open Air Market at the Grove launches Wednesday, May 21 and runs every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM through August 26, 2025 at Poplar Grove Plantation, located at 10200 US Highway 17 North in Wilmington. (Note: Some listings, including the plantation's own events page, show a May 20 start date, and a third-party calendar lists May 15. Prospective visitors should confirm the opening date with the organizer.) It's a midweek alternative to the area's weekend farmers markets, giving residents and visitors a reason to slow down on a Wednesday morning and shop directly from the people who make and grow what they sell. Admission to the market and plantation grounds is completely free.

Fast Facts

• Dates: Every Wednesday, May 21 – August 26, 2025 (confirm opening date with organizer; some listings vary)
• Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US Highway 17 North, Wilmington, NC 28411
• Admission: Free (manor house tours available separately for $15 per person)
• Organizer: Poplar Grove Plantation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) museum complex
• Key highlights: Local produce, baked goods, plants, handmade artisan goods, and food vendors — all set on a shaded, historic plantation
• Contact: Suzette Cooper-Hawley at suzette@poplargrove.org or 910-998-3322

What to Expect

Each Wednesday brings a rotating lineup of local farmers, bakers, butchers, herbalists, master gardeners, and artisan makers to the plantation grounds. Expect seasonal produce, fresh-baked breads and pastries, locally raised meats, handcrafted goods, plants, and herb starts — the kind of inventory that changes week to week as the growing season progresses.

This year, the market is moving to the shaded lower grounds beneath Poplar Grove's ancient oaks, a welcome shift that should make the summer heat far more manageable for vendors and shoppers alike. It's a beautiful, canopy-covered setting that feels worlds away from a parking lot pop-up.

While you're there, the Shops at Poplar Grove are just a short walk away. Stop into Grumpy Grandpa's Coffee for a cup, browse A Sink Full of Flowers, or check out the PG Mercantile for locally sourced gifts and goods. If you want to dig deeper into the property's history, guided manor house tours are available for a separate fee.

Why It's Worth Your Time

Wilmington has no shortage of weekend markets, but the Open Air Market fills a genuine gap by offering a midweek option — ideal for retirees, remote workers, parents with flexible schedules, or anyone who finds Saturday mornings too hectic. The Wednesday timing also gives small vendors an additional selling day beyond their weekend commitments, which matters for businesses operating on thin margins.

The setting carries weight, too. Poplar Grove is a historic peanut plantation dating to the late 18th century — the property was purchased by James Foy, Jr. in 1795, and the current manor house was built circa 1850. It sits within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, one of the most significant cultural landscapes in the American South. Every dollar spent here supports a nonprofit mission focused on education, preservation, and conservation. The plantation also hosts one of the area's longest-running events — the Herb & Garden Fair, which held its 33rd annual edition in 2025 — so seasonal programming is deeply embedded in its identity.

For local farmers and makers, the market represents direct-to-consumer sales without a middleman, in a green outdoor environment that draws a loyal customer base. That's the kind of quiet economic engine that sustains small businesses throughout the summer.

Practical Details

Parking is available at the main entrance — look for the flagpole and MAIN ENTRANCE sign at 10200 US Highway 17. The walk from the parking area to the market grounds is short and manageable.

Note that the stables are currently closed to the public due to surrounding development. For weekly vendor updates, product previews, and any weather-related changes, follow the Farmers Market at Poplar Grove Facebook page. Wilmington's summer weather is unpredictable, and the market may adjust for storms — checking social media the morning of is a smart habit.

For general questions, reach the plantation directly at 910-998-3322 or visit poplargrove.org.