Agapé Market

For residents across North Carolina, especially those in the vibrant community of Wilmington, discovering local businesses that offer unique, handcrafted, and thoughtfully sourced products can be a truly rewarding experience. Agapé Market at 1122 S 13th St in Wilmington stands out as one such gem, distinguishing itself not just as a store, but as a dedicated platform for local artisans and a source of delightful, high-quality goods. This article will provide a comprehensive look at what makes Agapé Market a special destination for North Carolina shoppers, focusing on its offerings, accessibility, and the values it embodies from a local perspective.

Agapé Market is a unique and heartfelt endeavor that celebrates local craftsmanship and community spirit. It serves as a curated marketplace featuring a diverse collection of handmade items created by talented artisans, many of whom are based right here in North Carolina. While perhaps best known for its highly praised hand-poured soy candles, Agapé Market's inventory extends to a wide array of products, including home decor, bath and body items, accessories, and even locally sourced produce. The market's core mission is to empower women, support local artisans, and provide a distinctive local shopping experience. A significant portion of its sales is dedicated to supporting local non-profits, demonstrating a commitment to positive community change. This blend of unique products and a strong philanthropic focus makes Agapé Market a truly special place to shop in Wilmington.

Agapé Market is conveniently nestled at 1122 S 13th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA. This location places it within easy reach for residents of Wilmington and surrounding areas. While 13th Street might not be a main thoroughfare, its proximity to larger roads ensures that visitors can find it without much difficulty. Access to the store is generally straightforward, and parking should be readily available in the vicinity, making for a stress-free shopping trip.

While specific in-store hours for the physical market are not explicitly detailed in all public information, Agapé Market also operates with online ordering and local pickup options, often through partner locations like Freya's Haus in Wilmington. For example, for fresh produce, orders placed by Sunday midnight are typically available for pickup the following Wednesday between 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM. For precise physical store hours, it is always recommended to check their official website or contact them directly.

Agapé Market provides a distinctive shopping experience focused on artisanal goods and community support:

• Curated Handmade Products: The market offers a wide variety of items, including hand-poured soy candles with natural fragrances and essential oils (including a popular monthly candle club), hand-dyed kitchen tea towels, blankets, cotton bags, handmade jewelry, natural laundry soap, natural body cream and scrub.
• Local Artisan Showcase: It serves as a platform for numerous local artisans, such as Jamie Finch (Elderberry Syrup Mamas), Jen Griffin (hand-crafted leather goods), Carrie Richardson Fry (unique art prints), Betsy Parker (pottery and mixed media), and Reid McEwen & Todd Platzer (ZERO Deodorant), allowing customers to connect with the creators behind their purchases.
• Fresh Local Produce: Agapé Market frequently offers seasonal local produce, such as strawberries, mushrooms, sweet onions, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, blueberries, and eggs, sourced directly from local North Carolina farmers. These often require advance online ordering for specific pickup days.
• Unique Gift Options: With a diverse range of handcrafted items, the market is an excellent source for unique and thoughtful gifts for friends and family, as highlighted by customer reviews. They also offer gift cards.
• Subscription Services: A popular offering is their "Monthly Candle Club," which provides subscribers with a new, unique candle scent delivered each month.
• Workshops and Classes: Agapé Market sometimes hosts or promotes workshops, such as candle-making classes or pyrography (hat burning) classes, often in collaboration with local venues like Freya's Haus.
• Online Shopping with Local Pickup: Customers can browse and purchase many items through their website for convenient pickup at designated local spots, enhancing accessibility.

Agapé Market distinguishes itself with several notable features that resonate deeply with local North Carolina shoppers:

• Strong Local Artisan Focus: The core of Agapé Market is its commitment to showcasing and supporting local artisans. This means customers are buying truly unique, often one-of-a-kind items, and directly contributing to the local economy and creative community. Many artisans source materials locally, further strengthening this connection.
• Exceptional Candle Quality and Variety: Reviews consistently praise Agapé Market’s candles. One subscriber joyfully notes, "Every time we receive a new scent, it’s like unwrapping a special treat. The fragrances are always unique and make our home smell incredible. The quality is top-notch, and the variety keeps things exciting." This makes their candles a standout product and a compelling reason to visit.
• Community-Minded Mission: Agapé Market was founded "to empower women, support local Artisans and provide a unique local shopping experience for our community." Crucially, they aim to "donate a significant portion of sales back to local non-profits who have demonstrated a track record for successfully changing lives." This philanthropic aspect adds significant value for socially conscious shoppers.
• Unique Product Offerings: Beyond candles, the market provides an intriguing array of goods that often have a natural, handmade, or locally-inspired theme, from elderberry syrup and natural deodorants to hand-dyed textiles and artisan pottery.
• Support for Sustainable Practices: Through partnerships with farmers who use "sustainable, organic practices and a low-spray program" for produce, Agapé Market aligns with environmentally conscious values.
• Personalized Shopping Experience: While not directly mentioned in reviews, the nature of a local artisan market often lends itself to a more personal and attentive service, where staff are genuinely enthusiastic about the products and their creators.

The sole customer complaint about an incorrect phone number on a listing should be noted, but it doesn't detract from the positive product and mission-focused feedback. The provided phone numbers for Agapé Market are (910) 620-1485 and +1 910-620-1485, which appear to be correct based on public listings.

Agapé Market, like many local businesses, may offer various promotions and special deals to engage its customer base, particularly through its direct channels:

• Monthly Candle Club Savings: The "Monthly Candle Club" subscription offers a significant discount compared to purchasing individual candles (e.g., saving $10 per candle), providing excellent value for loyal customers. There's also a "Monthly Multi-Candle Club" for even more savings.
• Seasonal Produce Availability: While not a "promotion," the availability of fresh, locally grown produce during specific seasons is a valuable offer for locals seeking high-quality, farm-to-table ingredients.
• Online Order Minimums for Pickup/Delivery: For some services, like local strawberry orders, a minimum order might be required for free pickup, with a convenience fee applied if the minimum isn't met. This structure encourages larger orders and efficient logistics.
• Email List Exclusives: Agapé Market encourages signing up for their "preferred customer list" to be "the absolute first to snag all our sales, latest news, events, and exciting happenings!" This is a key way for locals to stay informed about special offers.
• Event-Specific Promotions: When participating in local markets or hosting workshops, Agapé Market might offer special deals or bundles to attendees.

To ensure you're aware of the latest offerings, North Carolina locals are encouraged to visit the Agapé Market website, subscribe to their email list, and follow their social media channels if available.

For direct inquiries, product information, or to learn more about Agapé Market, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 1122 S 13th St, Wilmington, NC 28401, USA

Phone: (910) 620-1485

Mobile Phone: +1 910-620-1485

You can also connect with them through their official website, which offers an online shop and contact form, and typically provides the most up-to-date information on products, events, and pickup details.

For the residents of Wilmington and the broader North Carolina region, Agapé Market at 1122 S 13th St represents a truly suitable and enriching local shopping destination. Its primary appeal lies in its unwavering commitment to supporting local artisans, which translates into a unique inventory of handcrafted goods that carry a story and a connection to the community. This focus on local talent means that shoppers can find distinctive gifts and home items that often surpass the quality and uniqueness of mass-produced alternatives.

The outstanding reviews, particularly concerning the quality and variety of their candles, underscore a dedication to excellence that benefits every customer. Furthermore, Agapé Market's strong philanthropic mission—donating a portion of sales to local non-profits—allows locals to contribute to positive community change simply by choosing to shop here. The added convenience of online ordering for local pickup and the seasonal availability of fresh, locally grown produce further solidify its role as a valuable community resource. In essence, Agapé Market is more than just a store; it's a testament to local creativity, community spirit, and the joy of finding something truly special, making it an ideal choice for North Carolinians who value quality, authenticity, and local impact.