EASLEY — Jesse Lowery had an idea: to bring farm fresh, local produce to Easley that would be available year round. Her dream is about to be realized with the opening of her new shop Farmacy.

“It’s not a new idea, but it’s still a good one,” said Lowery. “This is how grocery stores used to be. I want to bring that back.”

Farmacy, which sits in the “V” between East Third Avenue and South B Street in the old Gilstrap’s Grocery building, has a simple goal: promoting health through the local farms.

“Our focus is produce, that’s the main part of it. Local produce, meats, dairy, eggs, raw milk that’s all from farms right around here,” said Lowery. “Seasonally it will all be from farms within 200 miles. To keep it stocked I have to think regionally. I consider even Asheville or where we get cantaloupes from in Tifton, Georgia, I consider that local.

“It’s quality,” she added. “I mean, we go and pick it up. I can tell you who picked it, when they picked it … I pride myself on that, I really do.”

For the past seven years, Lowery and her family had been selling produce seasonally at a little stand near Duke Power called The Orange Spot.

“My dad and his twin brother started it after they retired and they quickly realized how rigorous it is,” Lowery said and laughed. “It’s a lot of work. I stepped in and took it a little further. They thought I ate weird stuff and I’m like ‘Kale’s not weird. Kale has been around since the dawn of time.’”

Farming, she said, is becoming a “thing” again with the younger generation.

“A lot of people do it and there’s a plethora of them,” she said. “It would blow your mind how many farms are around here. I mean, in South Carolina, our number one industry is agriculture. They’re everywhere and they need an outlet, they need retail space.”

Lowery couldn’t give an exact date Farmacy will open its doors but said it would be “soon.” Until then, she’s been setting up a tent and table in the parking lot out front until renovations inside the store are complete.

“I’m out here pretty much every day, weather permitting, from around 10 to 5. And I’m always sold out. We have strawberries right now and peaches are coming in. Blueberries will be coming next and blackberries. Hopefully I can get my hands on some beautiful black raspberries from North Carolina. I’s like eating jam, it’s like nothing you’ve ever had in your life. So good.”

Jesse Lowery couldn’t give an exact date Farmacy will open its doors but said it would be “soon.” Until then, she’s been setting up a tent and table in the parking lot out front until renovations inside the store are complete.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_220.jpgJesse Lowery couldn’t give an exact date Farmacy will open its doors but said it would be “soon.” Until then, she’s been setting up a tent and table in the parking lot out front until renovations inside the store are complete. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

While Jesse Lowery of Farmacy might travel to get the produce she will sell, she knows it’s fresh, like these strawberries she is currently selling while the Farmacy building is being renovated.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_225.jpgWhile Jesse Lowery of Farmacy might travel to get the produce she will sell, she knows it’s fresh, like these strawberries she is currently selling while the Farmacy building is being renovated. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

The Farmacy, which sits in the “V” between East Third Avenue and South B Street in the old Gilstrap’s Grocery building, has a simple goal: promoting health through the local farms.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_228.jpgThe Farmacy, which sits in the “V” between East Third Avenue and South B Street in the old Gilstrap’s Grocery building, has a simple goal: promoting health through the local farms. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

“Farmacist” Jesse Lowery had an idea: to bring farm fresh, local produce to Easley that would be available year round. Her dream is about to be realized with the opening of her new shop — Farmacy.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_251.jpg“Farmacist” Jesse Lowery had an idea: to bring farm fresh, local produce to Easley that would be available year round. Her dream is about to be realized with the opening of her new shop — Farmacy. Kasie Strickland | The Pickens Sentinel

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.