DOWAGIAC — In between shelves of gourmet hot sauce, artisanal baked goods and locally sourced meats Tuesday, several Dowagiac residents turned their attention to Betsy Kaphart and Steve Wright, as they held a pair of large, ceremonial scissors over a blue sign carrying the words: Wright Farms Market.

“Are you ready to take the picture?” Kaphart asked Vickie Phillipson, president of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

Phillipson nodded as she took a snapshot on her cell phone, cementing the moment in history for Wright and Kaphart.

The City of Dowagiac formally welcomed Wright and Kaphart Tuesday as the managers of Wright Farms Market on Railroad Street in Dowagiac. The store is owned by Wright, who also owns Wright Farms in Cassopolis, which is known for producing local, steroid- and hormone-free meat. After a “soft opening” in March, the store has been selling artisanal food items to the people of Dowagiac. Additionally, much of the meat stocked in the market is supplied by Wright Farms.

“I always enjoy these ribbon cuttings, welcoming new businesses to Dowagiac, because this is really what it takes to keep a community growing, thriving, alive and interesting,” said Mayor Don Lyons at the event Tuesday.

Lyons added that he is excited to see where Wright Farms Market goes, hoping it will expand and be a staple in the Dowagiac community.

“I can’t wait until you are no longer new to the community, because that is even better,” Lyons said. “I also have a personal interest here, because I love to eat.”

Wright and Caphart said they appreciate the support from the Dowagiac community and that they have felt welcomed in Dowagiac.

“Everyone has been really great, and we have seen a lot of familiar faces and repeat customers,” Kaphart said. “We are really happy to be here.”

Though the chamber of commerce welcomed Wright Farms Market this week, Wright said there are still improvements coming to the store and that he will be hosting grand opening festivities in June.

“We are still waiting on some more coolers and space so we can offer more,” he said.

“We want to make this a one-stop shop for people,” Kaphart chimed in. “We have the potential to do a lot of different things here.”

Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce said they are also looking forward to seeing all that Wright Farms will have to offer.

“Thank you for being here,” said Jim Frazier, vice president of the chamber of commerce, to Wright and Kaphart Tuesday. “We are always happy to have a new business in town.”