Take your child on a culinary journey at Atlanta’s oldest farmers’ market.

My son was laughing. My husband was smiling and not playing on his iPhone. And I forgot that I really should be cleaning the bathroom. That’s right, we were experiencing the elusive Quality Family Time. With its many colors and flavors, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market is a magical place where parenting dreams come true.
The Sweet Auburn Curb Market is in Atlanta’s storied Sweet Auburn District near the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. In 1918, a market was founded on land cleared by a massive fire. City dwellers grew to love the fresh produce and meats sold by area farmers. Funds to build a permanent structure were raised, and the Municipal Market of Atlanta opened in 1924.
In 1956, Fortune magazine described Auburn Avenue, the main thoroughfare in this historic district, as “the richest Negro street in the world.” Many businesses made their homes here, including financial institutions that extended credit to black homeowners and entrepreneurs. The affluent area became known as “Sweet Auburn.” 
Adopting the name Sweet Auburn Curb Market two decades ago, this “oldest public market in Atlanta” endures. A visit offers a truly unparalleled experience for the whole family. Everything is indoors, making this a great destination for a cold or rainy day. My family recently spent several hours at the market, which features 26 eateries and specialty shops. Here are a few suggestions:

A Foodie’s Food Court
The market houses a variety of quick-service restaurants, which means everyone can try something different. I enjoyed tasty vegetarian greens and creamy mac-and-cheese from Sweet Auburn BBQ. My husband and son ate all-natural sausage dogs from YumDiggity, which sources its meat from Marietta. Our son slurped down one of the vibrant, healthy concoctions available at Rawesome Juicery.

Stroll and Shop
We wandered in Sister’s Bookshop, a quaint spot with a good selection of used books. Then we explored the small grocery stands, buying some Georgia watermelon to take home. I enjoyed watching my son see whole fish in the case at Atlantic Seafood. We had a great conversation about how our food ends up on our plates.

Too Many Desserts, So Little Time
The smells wafting from the legendary Sweet Auburn Bakery are hypnotizing. But we had to try the unusual flavors from High Road Creamery, a local company that makes craft ice cream. My little boy literally took mine away from me before I could finish it. On our way out, we stopped by Miss D’s New Orleans to sample Cajun and caramel popcorn.
– Sherry V. Crawley

Recent Posts