Martin was as Carolina as one could be. Born and raised in Charlotte and a Tarheel to his core, he loved the cultures of the Carolinas. His parents hailed from SC and their hometowns loomed large in his youth. Martin loved basketball, BBQ and bluegrass…and Neil Young. Moreso, he loved people and their stories. His joy for life and generous spirit was evident in everyday conversations about wine, concerts or maybe an ode to the perfect hushpuppy or the finer points of smoking a good pork butt. Your day couldn’t help but be brighter after a visit or conversation with him.
Martin’s spirit led him to leave Charlotte after high school. He moved to Boston, enjoying music festivals and live shows, returning in his mid-twenties. He found his home in Asheville, where he lived for more than 30 years, much of that time as an account representative for fine wines. Martin thrived in the wine business, because of his love of people and the opportunities to introduce and educate them about wine. He loved Asheville and the surrounding towns, especially the people that lived there.
In 2017, Martin returned to Charlotte to be close to family. He joined The Laurel Market as Beverage Manager where he quickly found his home. It wasn’t long before the regulars christened Martin the “Ambassador of Laurel Market,” a moniker he enthusiastically embraced. The Laurel provided the perfect place for his love of good wine, good coffee and good conversation with people from all walks of life. He felt deeply that each interaction with someone held a lesson and made his life richer. What he didn’t know was the impact these moments had on others. He was everyone’s greatest cheerleader. A close friend of over 40 years described Martin as “Sometimes perhaps a little disheveled. He was the kinda guy that women wanted to take care of and men wanted to sit down and have a drink with. He never met a stranger, only friends that hadn’t met him yet.”
Martin’s legacy is one of kindness and grace, of boundless optimism and undying loyalty.