Montwell Commons Community Market opens in Lewisburg

By Hannah Yost, RealWV

Montwell Commons has spent more than a decade creating a space where community comes first. Now, its newest addition — the Montwell Commons Community Market — will officially open Saturday, April 11, coinciding with Lewisburg’s annual chocolate festival.

Montwell Commons, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), was founded with the goal of creating a place where people can connect. With green spaces, local restaurants, and ties to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine through the Clingman Center, the property has long been centered around community engagement.

The Manchester Pavilion at Montwell Commons in Lewisburg is named in honor of former Mayor John Manchester. Photo courtesy of Montwell Commons.

Organizers Florian Schlieff, a board member representing Montwell Commons, and Sandy Carter, a market vendor and board member, said the goal is to create a space centered on building community.

“We felt we needed to have a market within walking distance to downtown,” Schlieff said. “It would be beneficial to the community, where everyone could walk, bring friends, pets, children, and grandchildren.”

But Schlieff and Carter say the market is about more than just shopping.

“The market is an important aspect, but we want to provide activities for children and educational opportunities for people who want to grow and prepare their own food,” Schlieff said.

On a typical Saturday, visitors can expect a lively, welcoming atmosphere designed for all ages.

With open green space, seating areas, and nearby restaurants, organizers hope visitors will treat the market as a destination rather than a quick stop — spending time with friends, meeting neighbors, and enjoying the atmosphere.

Vendors will offer a variety of goods, and some will even bring interactive experiences, including baby goats for children to interact with. 

The goal is to create a place where people want to linger.

“Not just a place to shop, get your things, and go, but a place to spend some time relaxing, sitting down with a cup of coffee, visiting with friends, and getting to know other community members,” Schlieff said.

That sense of connection is central to the market’s mission.

“One of the things we’ve read about is how America is losing its sense of community,” Carter said. “This is a place where we can regain that community.”

The market offers a space for people to slow down, enjoy live music, and connect with others, while also supporting local agriculture.

“We need to foster a greater presence of locally produced foods, meats, and more,” Carter said. “The more we support local producers, the stronger they become. It completes the circle.”

Greenbrier County has drawn interest from new and longtime residents alike, including those relocating through Ascend WV, retirees returning home, and young people discovering the area for the first time.

“There’s a lot of opportunity around here to get back to a more meaningful way of life,” Carter said. “The market gives an outlet for that — to connect with the community and get to know people.”

Ultimately, organizers hope visitors leave with something more than just groceries.

The market will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays from April through October.

On opening day, April 11, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The public is encouraged to join.