Quintin Middleton has had plenty of publicity over the years for his acclaimed locally made knives. Now, he’s using his platform to lift up other local Black-owned businesses, especially those who can’t afford to be front-and-center in Charleston’s bustling downtown tourist district.
On Feb. 22, the owner of Middleton Made Knives will hold the first Black Artisan Market at his shop on the North Charleston Navy Yard. He’s invited roughly 30 Black business owners to share the space for free.
The event will shine a light on local entrepreneurs during Black History Month, while also introducing newcomers to Middleton’s shop.
“When I opened my store, I wanted to showcase other artisans as well, but I’m limited to what I can do with the small space,” he said.
Middleton opened his first brick and mortar store in a 581-square-foot space in October at 2154 Noisette Blvd., where people can purchase his affordable Echo series of knives alongside his higher-priced customized offerings.
“So the idea was why not celebrate Black history by shining a light on other Black artisans that you may not know or know but never put a face to the brand,” he said. “Whatever small platform I have, I’m going to use it.”
After a few months on the Navy base, Middleton said he’s still not where he’d like to be with foot traffic, but he hopes the artisan market concept will help. The somewhat hidden area is steadily growing with plenty to do be it Riverfront Park, Momo restaurant, Coast Brewing and the monthly Celadon flea markets, to name a few attractions.
“Once we get more exposure, people will see it,” he said. “This is a destination, a tourist attraction as well. Everything is not on the peninsula.”
Middleton likens the growing King Street and downtown Charleston scene to being “priced out of paradise.”
“Some people love Charleston. They love the culture and everything about it, but since a lot of development has happened they’re being pushed out because of pricing,” he said.
The Navy Yard and Spring Street in downtown Charleston are two burgeoning examples of being priced out of King Street. Small businesses have taken to off-shoots and built up communities in those areas.
Spring Street is now home to restaurants like By The Way co-owned by “Southern Charm” stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll, Bistronomy by Nico, The Pass and numerous small, women-owned businesses, such as Taxidermy, Paper Canopy, Hermosa or Tiny Tassel.
Mimi Striplin, owner of Tiny Tassel, a jewelry store, will be one of the vendors at the Black Artisan Market. She, like Middleton, advocates for more prominent storefronts and marketing for small and Black-owned businesses.
“Charleston lacks an accessible event like this,” she said. “Typically with a lot of events you have to pay a big fee or provide a lot of things to participate. This will give vendors a space where they can support each other and be face-to-face with shoppers.”
In addition to Middleton Knives and Tiny Tassel, the market’s lineup includes leather accessories from Boysterous Southern Culture, handmade baskets from Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson of Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets, mixes from The Cocktail Bandits and more.
“Everybody doesn’t have the capital to market or the means to do Google ads or even have the mindset to do that,” Middleton said. “So I’m using my small platform to say, ‘Hey look at this basket over here or this artist you didn’t know of but have seen his work.’ I hope it speaks to you.”