Just a block north of Doug's Place Restaurant on Highway 293 in Emerson, Georgia sits a little red building with a small sign that reads, "Southern Girls Market". Do yourself a favor and stop in to check it out!

Southern Girls Market is a woman owned business, started by a couple of local girls in 2013.  They started the business while they were still in high school to save money for college.  By the time they graduated high school, they both paid for their college education in full, with no debt.  Together, they run the market from March to December, selling locally grown produce.

I visited for the first time the week of easter this past Spring.  I had seen their posts on Facebook and wanted to check them out in person.  I am a HUGE fan of the Emerson Post Office (no lines and you get in out quickly!) so I stopped by after a post office run one Friday.  In the spring, when it was still too early for produce, they had a wonderful assortment of hanging baskets and plants.  I found the best price on hanging basket ferns after checking Home Depot and Lowe’s – SG Market had them for $18 each.  I found their plants to be slightly larger than garden centers, and in great condition.  Back in the Spring, this was their price list for reference:

• Boston Hanging Ferns: $18

• 14 inch Kimberly Queen Ferns - $40

• Hibiscus - $16

• Wandering Jew and Pothos - $15

• Petunia Hanging Baskets - $15

• Large Coco Combo Baskets - $40

• Knockout Roses - $25

• Elephant Ears - $20

• Mosquito Plants (Citronella) - $12

There are a few other items on the price board that I couldn’t see well enough to list.  We stopped by a few more times over the summer, I have bought cucumbers, peaches, watermelons, silver queen corn, okra and more.  I wish I had taken pictures over the summer of the things we purchased – especially the best watermelon I think I have ever had!

My husband and I stopped by this past Saturday morning (August 26, 2023) and I was disappointed that it is the end of the season, so there wasn’t much available. My garden at home isn’t producing much either, so I should have known better, but I was really hoping for a good watermelon! I did see photos on Facebook that they were also selling at the Dallas Farmer’s Market that morning, and what they had there looked great.  I purchased some cucumbers, corn, and peaches and only spent $12.  I mean, look at these tomatoes they had on Saturday – they are huge!

Inside the store, they have coolers full of produce, and shelves lined with preserves and canned goods of all kinds.  They also have a cute selection of t-shirts.

I’ll be curious to see what they carry later this fall as the temperatures cool down.  I am working with a client on an October wedding, and we will be purchasing a lot of pumpkins as décor for her wedding.  I hope to find a great assortment at a locally owned place instead of the big garden centers!  I usually buy a few for my front porch also, so I will report back and let you know if I find them at Southern Girls Market this Fall!

As of right now, Southern Girls Market has hours listed as follows: Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and closed on Sundays.  Stop by Doug’s for lunch one day and then swing by Southern Girls Market after to visit and see what they have!

Join me in supporting another woman owned business and SHOP LOCAL!  Southern Girls Market is located at: 631 Highway 293, Emerson, Georgia 30137.  Phone:  678-739-8376.