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Marine veterans plan to open Athens Common Area Market at old gin site

Athens Daily Review - 4/6/2019

April 06-- Apr. 6--An Athens area couple has big plans to convert a two-acre property that decades ago was a thriving agriculture business into a popular spot for food, fun and special events.

"It's called Athens Common Area Market," said Christopher Marholz, who owns the property along with his wife, Amanda. "The name comes from a Marine Corps term for a spot where they come together."

The property offers plenty of space for the community to gather for concerts and other entertainment or for weddings or parties. It faces Larkin Street and reaches all the way to the railroad track.

The couple plans to open a hamburger restaurant in the old cotton gin that was the major business on the two-acre tract. Chris Marholz spent 20 years with a growing restaurant company before launching his own.

"We met in the Marine Corps," Chris Marholz said. "When she got out, she went to college for event planning and I went into the restaurant business."

Cleaning up the property has required a lot of hard work and cost thousands of dollars. Now the large, grassy space behind the gin is clear and ready to be put to use. The gin covers 6,000 square feet of the property.

"In the far back will be a fairly large stage like an amphitheater," Chris Marholz said. "We can host larger concerts back here, speaking engagements, plays and things like that."

A few weeks ago, more than 1,000 people were on the grounds for a block party.

"It was wonderful to see this placed packed full of people and get the excitement in town," Chris Marholz said.

The Marholzes have created a Kickstarter account for the project in efforts to raise $50,000 to help move the work along..They must reach their goal by May 5 for the Kickstarter plan to take effect. Those who back the Marholzes will receive rewards.

"Some are services, some are donations, some are products," Amanda Marholz said. "It's all or nothing, so if we don't make our goal, no one has to take a chance. It's kind of a quick push to see who'll support us."

The venue will open in phases when the money becomes available.

"We feel like that will help it to open faster, "Amanda Marholz said. "Phase 1 is focusing on the event aspect."

A YouTube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvab-L20c68) explains their vision for the Athens Common Area Market. The building next to the gin will come down and be replaced by a container park. Amanda Marholz said container parks are popular in several cities around the nation, including in Austin and downtown Las Vegas.

"It's basically turnkey shipping containers that has everything filled out inside," Chris Marholz said. "It's basically a food truck without wheels and they're stackable and modular."

They hope to help budding entrepreneurs get their start.

"That's as long as they're local and have that quality we're looking for," Chris Marholz said.

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(c)2019 the Athens Daily Review (Athens, Texas)

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