Since April 2020, a small, independent grocer has endured the slow seasons of the COVID pandemic to thrive as a source of locally-grown produce in Evans.
“I opened smack dab in the middle of COVID,” said Derek Marsik, owner of Roots Produce. “When I was setting up the business, it hadn’t happened yet. So, it was a little bit of a struggle; we had to delay a little bit.”
Marsik’s first job at age 13 was at a produce farm. Sometime serving in the Navy for four years, having enlisted at 21, he opened a produce stand in his hometown of Loganville, Ga. with his old boss at the farm. When that venture didn’t work out, Marsik moved his family to Columbia County, where his wife’s family lives.
“I’ve kind of just always been in it,” he said. “I already knew where I could get locally grown produce and good produce. Best stuff I can find.”
Marsik operates Roots Produce with his wife, Rebecca. Currently, the store is receiving lots of vegetables: greens, cucumbers, broccoli from North Carolina, and even tomatoes grown in Florida’s warmer climate.
“In peach season, we have tons of peaches,” said Marsik. “We get them from Edgefield, Batesburg and all around that general area. We carry Georgia peaches as well.”
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“Alongside fruits and vegetables, Roots Produce offers other locally made goods, such as elderberry syrup, fire cider, boiled peanuts and even cocktail mixers.
“Our pimento cheese is huge,” said Marsik about one of the store’s more popular sellers. “That’s made right here.”
Organic, locally-grown peppers and squash, along with jars of jams and jellies at Roots Produce in Evans. Photo taken from its Facebook page. 
Apples, tomatoes, squash, boiled peanuts and more at Roots Produce in Evans. Photo taken from its Facebook page.
So that he doesn’t have to travel from farm to farm for his inventory, Marsik often stocks up at regional markets, such as the South Carolina State Farmers Market in Columbia, or the Atlanta Farmers Market in Forest Park, Ga., which is the biggest market in the Southeast.
The success of the shop has even facilitated a mini-farmers market. While other vendors are always welcome to set up at Roots Produce, many tend to pop up during the spring and summer months.
“We let people come set up a little 10 by 10,” Marsik said. “So anytime we’ll have barbecue, craftsmen and people selling baked goods.”
Marsik says Roots Produce actually thrived through the pandemic in its earliest stages, attributing it to the spike in busy crowds at supermarkets. He also notes that the store has prospered through perseverance, word of mouth and a little social media marketing.
“Being an outdoor market kind of gave us an advantage,” he said. “We kept it moving, started a Facebook page. We’ve gained a pretty good following. We still get new customers every single day, saying, ‘I didn’t know y’all were here. We just found out about you!’”
Roots Produce is located at 703 N. Belair Road in Evans. For more information, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rootsproduceGA.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
