With a shared dream of opening a market rooted in local goods and community connection, owners Emily and Robert Gunn were ready for a new chapter. They saw past the disrepair of a neglected building in Hendersonville, North Carolina, recognizing it as the perfect canvas for their vision. The Gunns partnered with our team to transform the underutilized space into the Ecusta Market & Cafe—now a bustling hub for locals and visitors alike, and a welcoming gateway to the beautiful Ecusta Trail.

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The project’s first challenge was merging two separate, run-down buildings into a single, cohesive space. Initially, the vision was for a market, but our collaborative discovery process revealed a greater opportunity: adding a café. This addition would fully realize the Gunns’ dream of creating a true community gathering place.

This dual-purpose vision presented a unique design challenge: how to create a unified brand experience while maintaining distinct atmospheres for the market and cafe. Our solution was to enclose the courtyard between the two structures, creating a central, light-filled entrance. This new connector space, featuring expansive storefront windows, naturally guides visitors to the market on one side and the cafe on the other, flooding the interior with light and extending a warm invitation to the community.

Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we selected a palette of warm, earthy tones, natural wood finishes, and durable materials to create a welcoming atmosphere. An integrated patio flows seamlessly from the café to the edge of the Ecusta Trail, making it the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or a quick coffee before a walk or ride.

The transformed Ecusta Market & Cafe is now open, and the result is more than just a revitalized building; it’s a vibrant, welcoming space that strengthens community bonds and contributes to the area’s economic vitality. We are proud to have played a role in creating this new landmark for the people of Hendersonville to enjoy for years to come.