Mary Lynn Ackerman and Catherine Lassiter sat around a kitchen table this past Christmas, talking future plans and New Year’s resolutions. At one point in the conversation, an intriguing thought popped into their minds: Why don’t we open our own business? While both women liked the idea, they couldn’t quite pin down what kind of business they wanted to start.

To find an answer, they simply asked each other what they wanted to see in town. Both women were mothers with growing families, and both spent a lot of time shopping for items to fill the refrigerator. “So we decided we wanted to do something with groceries,” Ackerman says, “but we didn’t want to open a grocery store. We wanted something fresh … something local as possible.”

What they came up with was Reynolda Farm Market, a place that would take local produce out of the field and put it onto the shelf.

A few months later, Ackerman and Lassiter — along with third business partner Frank Blankenship Sr. — signed a lease for the vacant space at 1206 Reynolda Road. In its previous life, the space housed the eclectic gift shop Pink Mink.

As for why the spot appealed to them, “11,000 cars drive up and down Reynolda Road every day,” Lassiter says, “so we knew it was a highly visible space.”

With a location picked out, the focus turned to transforming the interior of the building from refined boutique into a down-home market. The three partners spent a month painting, cleaning, and outfitting the space. By the time Reynolda Farm Market opened in mid-July, the building had acquired the kind of laid-back, unfussy aesthetic they were shooting for. And because of its proximity to two of the city’s most storied neighborhoods — Buena Vista and West End — the space possessed a natural, neighborly aura.

“Soccer moms, college kids, young professionals, senior citizens … we see them all,” Ackerman says. “I think it’s really bringing back that community-based market feel.”

There’s no shortage of intrigue when skimming the store’s shelves. For every standard offering you see — peaches, tomatoes, corn — there’s a unique counterpart just begging to be sampled. Ackerman points to a hybrid eggplant for proof. “I don’t think you’re going to see these in too many places,” she says.

Just about everything in the market has a local tie. You’ll see potatoes from Welcome, carrots from Hendersonville, and apples from Ashe County. You’ll find popular Goat Lady Cheese products from Climax, and heavenly ice cream from Homeland Creamery in Julian. You’ll see a slew of items made right here in Winston-Salem, too, such as breads from Ollie’s Bakery and coffee from Krankies.

“The best thing is that we have all of these things in one place,” Ackerman says. “You don’t have to drive all over to get them.”

Ackerman hopes the store’s ever-shifting product line will draw customers in year-round. Where the summer brings in items like cantaloupes, blueberries, and melons, autumn will see a rise in pumpkins, winter squash, and apples. Around the holidays, shoppers will find festive floral offerings, such as poinsettias and amaryllis, along with turkeys and hams. Winter will present a slight challenge, she says, because they’ll be forced to import much of the produce from warmer spots. Certain local goods — such as meats, dairy, and eggs — will be available year-round.

Fresh foods aren’t the only thing occupying space in the store. In the corner of the market sits an old-time candy shop, reminiscent of something you’d see in a mountaintop produce stand. It’s there you’ll find giant lollipops, homemade fudge, and other classic wrapped candy. If you get thirsty, you can grab a bottle of Cheerwine or Nehi soda from a nearby refrigerator.

Add it all up, and you’ve got a spot that combines old-world simplicities with forward-thinking sustainability. While Ackerman and Lassiter — both former teachers — admit that running the farm market is a “learning process,” they’re happy to be carving a refreshing niche in the local community.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard someone walk in and say, ‘We’ve been waiting for something like this,’ or ‘We’re so happy you’re in our neighborhood,’ ” Lassiter says. “That’s exactly what we were hoping to hear when we decided to open.”

The market is open Monday—Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more info, call 336-777-3421.