Spotlight on the markets

The Markets  

When filling up on fuel, perhaps a coffee bar, selection of heady brews, and a menu highlighting Virginia purveyors doesn’t typically come to mind — well, think again.  

With four locations and a fifth on the way, The Markets — a collection of Tiger gas stations around the Charlottesville region owned by Patty Pitts — are reinventing the convenience store experience, and in the past 30 years, has established itself as a destination for travelers and locals alike.  

“The success came from offering wonderfully new deli items with uniquely fresh-made sandwich ideas, using Boars Head meat, French bread and a unique combination of imported cheeses, veggies, sauces and toppings,” Pitt says of the growth.  

A self-taught chef, Pitts opened the first iteration, The Bellair Market, in April 1991. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, her goal was to create a place centered on community and great customer service. The vision was that customers could “fuel up” by ordering fresh take out choices, ranging from sandwiches and salads to a Chef’s Cookie of the day and rotisserie chicken. 

The sandwiches, one of their most popular sellers, are named for Charlottesville landmarks, such as The Jefferson, a Thanksgiving-esque creation with maple turkey, cheddar, lettuce, cranberry relish and herb mayo, or the Wahoo Nation, a shoutout to the mascot of nearby University of Virginia — the wahoo — featuring deli-style chicken, havarti cheese, banana peppers, lettuce and a tangy sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce. 

Although The Markets have been partnering with Cavalier Produce for years, according to Pitts, “It wasn’t until recently that we saw a need for diversity with produce and other products offered.” 

Now, Cavalier provides the stores with a variety of specialty items — cheeses, meats and honey — along with every day produce from farms across the state. Since the pandemic, the Markets have introduced an online ordering system for takeout and curbside pickup. In the future Pitts says they plan to expand their catering menu and offer picnic boxes with fruit, cheese and specialty meat selections — perfect for an al fresco dining adventure once the weather warms up.

Written by our guest blogger Eileen Mellon