Your Quality Go-To

Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2017/07 - July

If you haven’t stopped by 4th Street Market in Highlands, you really should.  It’s the best place in town to get a delicious meal when you’re in a hurry, all your convenience store items, beer, wine, and even a lottery ticket.

Located across from the Highlands Rec Park on the Cashiers Road, this is not your average convenience store.  Sure, they carry your standard fare like snacks and sodas, but the secret to their success is the wide selection of healthy grab-and-go items, perfect for a hike, an outdoor concert, or a picnic.  You’ll also find Chef Kirtis Kremser in the store corner fixing breakfast biscuits, croissants, burritos, and cinnamon rolls all waiting for you in a heated case.

Lunch is served hot and ready and you won’t find a better deal around.  We’re not talking a frozen burger.  It’s your choice of hot dogs, fried chicken filets, burgers, and homemade fries.  Each day they have a choice of two soups, and deli sandwiches are made fresh.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights they’re offering barbecue and all the fixings to go.  Pulled pork, sliced brisket, 1/2 smoked chickens and beans, brunswick stew, and coleslaw all ready for you and your crew to take home.

As they say on TV, “But wait! There’s more!”  They have the largest selection of craft beers in town, specially priced wines, even a make your own milkshake station.  Speaking of ice cream, ask about their premier frozen desserts like Jeni’s gourmet ice creams and King of Pops popsicles. 

4th Street Market has set aside a special area for local North Carolina products like crackers, barbecue sauce, popcorn, and more. They’re also the only place in town to pick up Highlands logo’d Elevation 4118 gifts, which include stemless wine glasses, Nalgene bottles, coffee cups, koozies, picnic blankets, T-shirts, and many other items for you to take home or give as gifts.

Owners David and Debi Bock and Jimmy and Mary Reed did their homework in designing and building this “high scale” market, but admit they couldn’t have done it without the boundless energy and experience of Manager Todd Taylor.  He oversees the entire operation which includes the rental of both exquisitely appointed two-bedroom apartments above the store.  If you’re interested in spending a week in the center of town, with breakfast and lunch just a step or two away, visit them online at VRBO.com/998409

So there you have it, 4th Street Market in all its glory.  But really you have to do more than stop for Shell gas.  You need to go in and let the friendly staff greet you and show you around.

Hours are 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday.  Friday and Saturday they’re open 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. and Sundays, 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.