Top Tier shines at Columbus Market

Published 12:34 pm Tuesday, August 5, 2025

COLUMBUS—Despite the rain, the Columbus Market was in full swing Saturday, bringing together an exciting mix of new and established vendors at 40 Courthouse Square. Among the new faces is Top Tier Fabrication, a company owned by local entrepreneurs Ty and Cassandra Townsend, specializing in decorative fabricated metal decor.

The Townsends, who have called Columbus home for about three years, recently relocated their shop to Columbus from Hendersonville after it suffered severe flooding from the hurricane. 

“The shop got flooded about three feet,” Ty explained. “We found a spot on Industrial Park Drive, just three minutes from our house, and we’ve been down here since October of last year.”

Ty said Top Tier Fabrication is primarily a fabrication support shop, creating parts for anyone who installs or builds.

“We work with structural steel, creating floating staircases, mezzanines, handrails, and a variety of other construction needs. We also produce decorative items like garden spinners, house numbers, and more.” 

Cassandra added that they saw an opportunity to utilize their downtime on the laser cutting table by creating items for local markets, allowing them to better engage with the community. She was previously the apprenticeship coordinator at Blue Ridge Community College, and decided to join the family business full-time after realizing their capability to create unique art pieces. 

“We wanted to make something while we’re not fulfilling orders and start attending markets to let people know we’re here,” she said.

The couple enjoys the creative freedom that comes with making decorative pieces, emphasizing that there are no strict rules. “I might feel inspired to make a horse today or a hummingbird spinner tomorrow,” Ty adds.

“It’s a great way to get involved in the community and share what we do,” Cassandra added. “There’s a wonderful sense of community here, both among vendors and residents. Everyone at the Columbus Market is supportive, and there are so many talents and resources in the area. It’s a great place to showcase yourself.”

For more information on the Polk County Farmers Markets, visit polkcountyfarms.org.