By late this fall, the reasons to stop in at Lennox Station (at South Whitted Street and Lennox Park Drive just outside of downtown Hendersonville) on the Ecusta Trail will expand from the existing Trailside Brewing to include the Ecusta Market & Cafe. Owners Robert and Emily Gunn plan to open a community gathering space with wholesome food, quality ingredients, and artisanal products from trusted farmers and makers in Western North Carolina and surrounding areas.

The enterprise will feature both a café and a market in separate but connected parts of the building. In the café, guests can expect locally roasted coffee, an expansive house-made bakery program, seasonal breakfast and lunch selections, and a selection of local beer and wine. The market, which will open first, will focus on locally-sourced meats, produce and dairy, as well as natural and organic snacks, pantry staples, and handcrafted goods from WNC craftspeople. There will be plenty of grab-and-go items for trail-goers, plus a prepared foods section for those wanting an easy meal at home. The café will offer an elevated yet laid-back atmosphere, with additional seating in a light-filled vestibule that connects to the market. There will also be ample outdoor seating along the trail. The entrance to the market and café will be from both the parking lot and the trail, thus encouraging interaction with trail riders and the community.

Sometimes destiny can appear to make life’s path inevitable, especially when it comes to busy multi-taskers. Emily and Robert seem no exception, especially since they were signing the lease for the buildings at the same time Emily was in the hospital giving birth to the second of their three daughters. She is originally from Brevard, and Robert grew up in Macon, Georgia, but like so many he was inspired to move to WNC fifteen years ago by memories of attending camp in the area as a kid.

Robert’s career started at age 15 in a bagel bakery and has included being a runner in a law firm, photographer, barista, hotel manager, English teacher, and indie rock musician. He worked in management and operations for the Chai Pani Restaurant Group for 10 years before leaving his position to work on opening the Ecusta Market & Cafe. It was the “mind blasting” customer service principles he learned at Chai Pani that inspired Robert to create a café model where service and guest experience are paramount.

Emily also began her career at a young age washing dishes at Grammy’s in Brevard. She served and bartended her way through college, and after graduating from UNCA in Communications, had a stint as a paralegal. Eventually she landed with Wicked Weed Brewing where she worked for the last 11 years, most recently as part of their marketing team. This spring Emily left her position at Wicked Weed to focus on the Gunns’ upcoming venture and their young family.

In their spare time the couple puts their love and energy into their small homestead in Hendersonville where they grow many fruits and vegetables and keep chickens and dairy goats.

Cindy Ruzak