APPOMATTOX Don and Nancy Wilk always had thought about opening their own business in order to spend more time together.

After one visit to Appomattox, they decided to buy an old building on Church Street and open an organic food market and education space by the end of this year named Local Apx Market.

It was not something we were working on [for a long time]; the idea was always there, its still developing. We heard the other day, you build it as you buy it, Don, 59, said.

They moved in 2015 to the town of Appomattox from Pennsylvania after just one visit in 2014. The couple used a portion of Dons pension to purchase the circa-1912 downtown building for $156,000 and now live in its second-floor apartment.

The Wilks were inspired to open the market because of their own experience with clean eating, a new diet trend that emphasizes consuming minimally processed foods that are as close as possible to their natural state.

The kitchen will be used to cook clean food recipes, and customers will be able to eat in an indoor dining space that looks out to Church Street, or on an outdoor deck behind the 4,800-square-foot building, which is located across the street from the old Appomattox train depot.

We dont do it perfectly by any means, but we started looking in this direction when our kids, grandkids and ourselves had health issues because of additives, preservatives and things like pesticides in the food, Nancy said.

She said after that, the family had to learn to eat differently, and as hard as it is to eat clean at home, it's harder when going out to eat or traveling.

As owners of the building and residents on the second floor, they can watch life go by on Church Street. The business location on the main thoroughfare in town could encourage people to just stop by, Don said.

A big part of why we are here is to build a Christian community, build things biblically and all that entails, Don said.

The building of the market will be slow to some because the Wilks believe the Bible says they are not to incur long-term debt.

Were going to build this slow, sure; we dont want to get down the road [and say] oh, we have to do something different because we have to pay the mortgage. Thats going to make sure we are sustainable, Nancy said.

To start momentum and raise money, they have held monthly farmers markets in the building since December. The producers-only market offers a new venue to vendors whose next-closest farmers markets are in Lynchburg or Farmville. So far, nine vendors and at least 200 customers per month are taking advantage of it, Nancy said.

In May, they hope to host the markets up to once per week in a parking lot behind the building.

They have been pleasantly surprised by the number of small producers who have expressed interest in attending the pop-up farmers markets. Several times per week, someone is calling, texting or emailing, asking to participate or if a product is offered, said Nancy, 57.

Everyone from raw milk providers to a yak farmer have offered to bring products to market, she said.

Its really exciting to see people stepping up, and it took someone to plant the flag and say, this is what we are doing, Nancy said.

The pop-up markets have coincided twice with a group of local artisans who hold a vintage market at the same time and day as the farmers market in Abbitt Park, a few blocks from Local Apx Market.

Appomattox resident Laura Dawson, who started Appomattox Vintage and Artisans Market in 2016, said her event was inspired by what she saw happening in the town with new events and businesses like Local Apx Market.

Just to have someplace for people to gather and have a family-friendly event. I think thats what we will see start to arise, those type of community-knit events, Dawson said.

The Wilks want to build a combined effort with other small businesses in Appomattox, like the vintage market, to offer events for downtown residents.

Once the downtown building upgrades are finished, including a kitchen and bathrooms, the food market will be open six days per week.

Upstairs, a room will be reserved offering classes on nutrition and gardening. Nancy said she hopes some of the farmers who bring products to the market will teach classes on sustainable agriculture.

All those things [are] to continue moving our family, friends and neighbors to a healthier food space. Its our responsibility to do that, Nancy said.

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A 'clean' start: Couple look to launch organic food market in Appomattox - Lynchburg News and Advance