Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharyn Knight.
Hi Sharyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Story Behind The Pour Market
The Pour Market was born from years of experience, friendship, and a shared passion for hospitality.
Phil and I have spent the better part of our careers in the restaurant industry. From long nights on the floor to early mornings building teams, opening concepts, refining menus, and developing brands restaurants have never just been our jobs. They’ve been our passion. Over time, we learned that great hospitality isn’t just about food or drinks. It’s about how people feel when they walk through the door.
Throughout our careers, we’ve worked across operations, product development, packaging, branding, and guest experience. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, what keeps guests coming back. That foundation gave us the confidence to build something that truly reflects who we are.
The Pour Market started as a simple idea. We wanted to create a place where quality meets comfort. A space where craft beer and wine are approachable, where gourmet sandwiches and provisions feel elevated but not intimidating, and where the atmosphere invites you to stay awhile. We wanted to bring together our love for food, passion for hospitality, and authentic community connection all under one roof.
Located in a restored historic powerhouse in Rock Hill, The Pour Market represents both our respect for tradition and our excitement for what’s next. It’s a gathering place. A market. A bar. A place to meet friends, discover something new, or unwind after a long day.
At its heart, The Pour Market is about people. It’s about the guest who becomes a regular. The team member who takes pride in remembering your order. The local musician playing on a Friday night. The small conversations over a pint that turn into lasting relationships.
For Phil and me, this isn’t just another concept. It’s the culmination of decades in hospitality, shaped by experience, fueled by passion, and built with intention.
The Pour Market isn’t just something we opened. It’s something we believe in.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road and I don’t think any meaningful hospitality concept ever is.
Our biggest challenge was the accelerated timeline. We signed the lease in October 2026 and opened the weekend before Thanksgiving. From staffing to ordering and setting up systems, every bit of our experience was put to the test. Coming from large restaurant groups with layered support and advanced technology, opening your own place forces different decisions especially around what systems and tech you truly need. There were moments we found ourselves back in spreadsheets managing food costs, which was both humbling and grounding.
In the end, those challenges strengthened us. Phil and I come from deep restaurant backgrounds, so we were prepared to adapt, stay disciplined, and protect the integrity of the concept. Every obstacle refined The Pour Market into something more intentional and resilient and confirmed it was worth the effort.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At The Pour Market, we focus on elevated simplicity high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and flavors that feel both familiar and refined. While we’re known for our curated craft beer and wine selection, our Italian sandwiches have quickly become one of our signatures.
We specialize in authentic, layered Italian sandwiches built the right way starting with made in house focaccia, premium imported meats, house-made spreads, fresh herbs, and balanced acidity. Each sandwich is crafted with intention, from the way it’s stacked to how the flavors develop in every bite. We don’t overcomplicate them; we respect the tradition and let the ingredients speak.
What we’re most proud of is the consistency and care behind every sandwich. Guests often tell us they remind them of something they had in a great neighborhood market or on a trip abroad and that’s exactly the experience we aim to create.
What sets us apart is our approach. We come from large-scale restaurant backgrounds, but here we apply that operational discipline to a more intimate, market-style setting. It allows us to combine culinary integrity with genuine hospitality serving sandwiches that feel handcrafted, not mass-produced, in a space that feels personal and welcoming.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The book I’ve found myself returning to time and time again over the years is Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara.
Pricing:
- $10 – $18
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepourmarket.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepourmarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580290232211
