POINT CLEAR — Neasie Yarbrough and Christina Stankoski want The Side Porch Market to be “as Southern as Southern can be.” They want it to have a “mint julep feel” to it.

These are just a few ideas childhood friends and neighbors Yarbrough and Stankoski have been cooking up for their market in the making.

The Side Porch Market will share the same building that houses Punta Clara Candy Kitchen in Point Clear and Yarbrough and Stankoski hope to have it open by mid-June.

The two said they have a good working relationship with the Pacey family that owns the building and Punta Clara Kitchen.

Stankoski said the Paceys came to Yarbrough with the opportunity to open a business in the building. Yarbrough then approached Stankoski about being her business partner.

“I asked Christina if she wanted to have the guts,” Yarbrough said. “It took about half a second for us to get started.”

Both women have been brainstorming constantly, and they claim to have similar ideas that complement each other.

Stankoski said with a laugh that Yarbrough’s “ideas are eccentric, I can pull her back down when she needs it.”

The main idea for The Side Porch Market is for it to have an old-fashioned Southern feel to it, an old-timey market where locals will want to shop.

“We both really, truly are all about the customer, all about the locals,” Yarbrough said.

She started listing ideas such as offering tabs for local customers, and allowing customers to call up to the store and place a pick-up grocery order. She said the market will also be offering delivery services.

They also want to have a jubilee list for folks who would like a phone call when a jubilee is taking place.

Both Yarbrough and Stankoski want to hear feedback from customers.

“We’re capable of evolving with whatever,” Yarbrough said. “We want input, let us know what your ideas are.”

Yarbrough and Stankoski have been doing resident surveys to see what the people of the Eastern Shore want.

The two ladies know they want to stock their shelves with unique and interesting products. They want to have speciality beers and will allow customers to build their own six pack; picking and choosing from their selection. This option will also be available with the variety to sodas they plan to offer.

They also want to have a nice affordable selection of wine.

“We identify with customers who want affordable red and white (wine),” Yarbrough said.

The Fairhope City Council approved a Lounge Liquor License for The Side Porch Market at the May 31 regular meeting.

A hope they have for The Side Porch Market is that it will eventually expand enough to cater. But right now, they want to be able to offer their beautiful location for bridal luncheons and other small events. They offer not just the space and food but will also decorate for the event.

They also encourage people to just stop by, sit on the porch and have a refreshing drink.

“Everyone’s welcome to sit on the porch,” Yarbrough said. “We want it to be a communal stopping point.”

Stankoski said they are considering having wine-tastings. They also want to offer what they call “wharf-ready food,” such as frozen casseroles, hors d’oeuvres and dips.

All of these ideas have been coming to them since they decided to open a business, they both admit.

“We haven’t lost a second of momentum,’ Yarbrough said.

Both of them are also very excited about their location.

“We can’t wait to revive the building,” Stankoski said. “The house was built in 1897, that’s so neat.”

Yarbrough wanted to stress that Punta Clara Candy Kitchen is not closing.

“We will be working very closely with them,” Yarbrough said.

Stankoski said she can’t wait for The Side Porch Market and Punta Clara Candy Kitchen to feed off each other, and she believes they will not bump heads on selling products.

“We are not going to try to get near stepping on their toes,” Stankoski said.

As for the next few weeks, Yarbrough and Stankoski will be working hard to meet their mid-June opening date.

“We don’t have time to be tired of each other,” Stankoski said.

To offer your suggestions on their products and services, Yarbrough and Stankoski can be reached at (251) 604-8345.