AUBURN – Christina Sage Hatcher of Indigo Collective said the idea for the Auburn Street Market came from attending farmers markets elsewhere and seeing a need to engage the public with crafters, artists and producers.

Hatcher: “It’s handmade, homegrown goods. Right? And it’s a community event, so not just a place of commerce, but a place for community connection as well.”

The street market opened for the first time with wood working, crafts, giftable items, farm-raised beef and pizza baked on the spot.

 

Hatcher: “I have dabbled in throwing small events like this before and I’ve also participated in events like this. In participating in events like this in the area last year I just felt there were some things lacking, so this is the answer to some of those pieces that were missing.”

Melissa Weiss of Auburn took advantage of the market for the debut of her fiber art.

Weiss: “I’ve kind of just done it for gifts to give away to friends and holidays, birthdays … just to get my product out there, to see what I could do with it.”

She offered crotchet animals, kids toys and even purple aliens. She also had help from her kids to keep the booth intact under wind gusts of 20 mph.

Weiss: “I’m loving it. I’m waiting for a less windy day, so we don’t have to hold down the tents.”

Chamber Director Leslie Clark thanked Hatcher for her leadership to get the market started.

Clark “This is going to be a great addition to our summer events. This market will happen every Thursday, 4:30 to 7:30 through the summer. Plus we have our Auburn Summer Sounds Concert Series that will be the first, third and fifth Fridays of the month, so it’s just adding richness and depth and great events for the community of Auburn.”

Hatcher says there is one produce vendor signed up and she hopes others will join as their gardens begin to grow.