Rosewood Market Starts A New, Exciting Chapter

The great Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” These are wise words spoken from one of the greatest hockey players to ever take the ice. Words that, fittingly, paint a life sketch of Basil Garzia, founder of the very popular Rosewood Market & Deli.

            Originally from the Albany, New York, area, Garzia arrived in South Carolina in the fall of 1970 as a VISTA volunteer. After that, his first business venture was the Basil Pot, a small vegetarian restaurant on the corner of Rosewood Drive and Howard Street. From there, he decided to open Rosewood Natural Foods in 1981, moving it to its current location in 1989 and changing it to its current name. Garzia grew up cooking and eating food in a more traditional manner, akin to how his parents and grandparents did, so a healthy consciousness and attitude come naturally to him. Garzia wanted to offer local residents a better, more unique and satisfying way to eat and shop.

            Rosewood Market stands today as a testament to Garzia’s culminating vision and hard work, with literally thousands of loyal customers and shoppers frequenting each week. Garzia states, “I appreciate the loyal customers, both old and new, that have made Rosewood successful over the past 26 years.” Garzia adds, “I’ve enjoyed watching the store grow from the initial restaurant to the business it is today, with its large variety of vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic and local meat and dairy products.” Rosewood Market’s very close community ties have been vital as well. These ties include not only loyal shoppers but also local farmers and artisans that come to his bimonthly farmers’ markets—all of whom make the market what it is today.

            As is often the case, success and fulfillment are not synonymous. The term success more often embodies a sense of achievement and cultural status, while the term fulfillment represents a much deeper, soul-searching pursuit, which often spurs an individual to transition from one chapter of life to another. With this in mind, Garzia has made the difficult decision to do just that by “handing over the store keys” to the very capable hands of Bryan Tayara, new owner/operator of Rosewood Market & Deli.

            Though transitioning, Garzia intends to stay on for a year to help facilitate the process. He will then remain the resident “handyman” of the store—certain to be a welcome treat for customers. Garzia looks forward to spending more time with his family and beloved dog, Millie.

            New Rosewood Market owner Tayara has his own compelling story. Reflecting, he shares: “I grew up in my parents’ seafood market and restaurant in Florence, named Orangeland. After high school, I decided to attend culinary school at Johnson & Wales, in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a part of the curriculum, I completed a one-year internship at Spago Beverly Hills, Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant. It was there that I became aware of the massive local and organic farming movement.” Tayara continues: “After my internship, I decided to move to Asheville, North Carolina, and work at the French Broad Food Co-op as the deli coordinator. I met so many beautiful people there, and my passion fo

r natural foods grew exponentially. Since then, I founded Slow Food Pee Dee; started Our Local Catch, in 2012; and began selling local and sustainable seafood at farmers’ markets in the Pee Dee and Midlands areas, including Rosewood Market.”

            Tayara adds: “My mission and vision for Rosewood Market is to remain an anchor in the Midlands by continuing to support small farmers, local artisans and entrepreneurs. It will remain a haven for conscious eaters, a rarity these days amongst big-box stores and fast-food eateries.”

            Both Tayara and Garzia assure customers and residents that they can expect no major changes in the near future. Tayara states: “Consistency and dependability have made Rosewood Market so special.The market hasn’t changed in so many years and still remains an anchor in our community. Rosewood Market has been a hub for conscious eaters, small farmers, local artisans and natural healers, and I intend to keep it that way.”