Onslow Business onslowbusiness.com
March 3, 2025 Vol. 2 Issue 3
The only publication dedicated to business in Onslow County
Veteran-Owned Cajun Market Celebrates 3rd Anniversary Boudin, andouille, tasso, cracklin’, crawfish, gumbo … the language of authentic Cajun staples is now spoken here. In March 2022, Tammy Heap and Russ Folley launched the Richlands Cajun Market, “bringin’ Acadiana to the Carolinas.” Both Heap and Folley are military veterans, deciding to retire in Richlands after careers in the US Navy. The market came out of a desire to not only have Cajun food for themselves, but to share the experience with others in the community. Folley was raised in St. Martinville, Louisiana, just south of Lafayette. He says that during his time in the Navy, “it was always hard to find Cajun food.” All of the items sold at the market come directly from Louisiana. To ensure the food they offer is authentic and fresh, Folley and Heap go on a “road trip” every couple of months to pick up the products themselves from 25 different vendors within a 50-60 mile radius of Lafayette.
as from the parents and grandparents of friends as he was growing up. Heap says that “business is amazing. There is more interest than we anticipated.” She adds that the Cajun Market is “growing at an affordable pace.” They have expanded a bit since opening three years ago, adding display shelves and coolers.
Folley says they “carry all the staples of back home,” including boudin, “a big staple in Louisiana.” He explains that boudin is essentially a pork and rice sausage mixture with seasonings, wrapped in a “real gut casing.” Other staples include hog head cheese, gumbo, deboned stuffed chicken, and andouille, a smoked pork sausage.
Community is important to both Heap and Folley. They give back in many ways, including being involved with the local chambers, the Wounded Warrior Run, local youth sports teams, and the Blessing Shed. Folley also volunteers regularly at the Onslow Community Outreach soup kitchen. They say giving back to the community is “part of why we love what we do.”
The tradition of cooking is ingrained in Folley’s family history. He says he learned how to cook from his mother, as well
Regular events for the community include Samplin Saturday, from 10:30am to 6:00pm each week. On the
Making a difference for businesses in and around the Greater Onslow County area: Jacksonville, Swansboro, Richlands, Camp Lejeune, Holly Ridge, Hubert, Sneads Ferry, North Topsail Beach, Surf City, and beyond.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Many of their customers are transplants from Louisiana while others are travelers and truck drivers who visited or drove through the area and loved the food. Customers come from all across North Carolina, including Raleigh and Charlotte, to get a taste of authentic Cajun cooking once again. Heap says they have even met evacuees from Hurricane Katrina who decided to stay in the Richlands area, as well as linemen who worked in Louisiana after the storms.
COMPLIMENTARY
second Saturday of each month, they host Cracklin Samplin Saturday. These are opportunities to taste the Cajun foods available in the market. The annual Gumbo Competition in March “started out as a way to celebrate our one-year anniversary,” says Heap, “to show appreciation to our customers.” This year’s competition will mark the third anniversary for the business. Up to 15 individuals compete and “at least 350 people come through to taste.” Heap and Folley say they have a family of customers, like back home, and like the Navy. They say they are “happy to be here.
How Big is Onslow? . 2 BOI Report Due ..... 3 Chamber Corner .... 4 Networking Opportunities ....... 5 Clove Hitch .......... 6 Patriot Roofing ...... 7 Building Bridges .... 8 Government Contracting ......... 10 Surf City Business Opening ............. 10 Inclement Weather ............. 11 A Season of Renewal ............. 12 Preston’s Corner ... 13 The Art of Influence ............ 14 Project Coffee ..... 14 Training Opportunities ...... 15 Event Spaces ....... 16
We love serving the community. It’s a continuation of service for us.”
Richlands Cajun Market 904 Wood Drive, Richlands www.richlandscajunmarket. com/ info@richlandscajunmarket. com (910)430-0662