THE MAKING OF BUSINESS | BY P ANNE BATTISTE | JULY 9, 2022
(GAZETTE PUBLISHING COMPANY LLC) | Farmers Markets in South Mississippi have always been popular. In recent years, however, they have become a real go to — not only for farmers and consumers — but newbies have come on board in hopes of making ‘their own way’ prosperous. Never before has so many people in America looked to the God-given talent, which they possess to provide for their households. National reports reveal individuals who lost jobs in the Covid era are now in business for themselves. Still, there have been others who just walked away from lucrative careers in order to pursue what brings them joy.
South Mississippi residents arriving at Westside Park on the first Saturday in July expressed disappointment when finding no actual farm goods were available to be sold. Denise LaSalle of Denise LaSalle Bakes, however, was pleased with the response she received from shoppers. In addition to the eye-catching cake pops made in her very own kitchen, the Strawberry Cheesecake Waffle Cones and the Oreo Cheesecake Waffle Cones were a hit with the public. Not one was available at the end of the day! The Butter Pecan Cookies beneath her tent proved to be a showstopper as well. Denise LaSalle shared, “I like experimenting with recipes that I find online or create myself — and to have this chance to see people’s faces at first bite, it’s wonderful!” The first -time vendor admitted also, “It helps to pay bills. I plan to do this more.”
Ginger Finnan — the artist behind the ‘Redhead Lady’ brand — was one of several repeat vendors. Although July 2nd was her second time at the new Westside Park location, she reminisced about the many years she and her husband, Louie, worked the market at the Barksdale Pavilion site in Jones Park. It was obvious that Finnan was no stranger to crafting. The Bay St. Louis resident has works of art on display in various galleries along the Coast. Get this — her vehicle has been backed in and the trunk is lifted high. Everything was laid out! Handcrafted jewelry and watercolor paintings were beautifully arrayed beneath her tent.
Understanding the dynamics of vending, Chris Acuesta, a Harrison Central High School Band Booster, scouted the would-be-vendors at Gulfport’s Farmers Market to participate in their own yard sale taking place today. Funds raised from booth sales will enable students to showcase their gifts in October at the Band of America Competition in Jackson, Alabama. It, too, was another great opportunity for makers-of-things to sell their goods. Cafeteria doors open this morning at 7am for the ‘indoor’ benefit and last through 2pm in the afternoon.
While it’s not clear if farmers will embrace the Westside Park location in Gulfport, Mississippi, the event is currently scheduled to occur on the first Saturday in each month. So, what’s in your hand? You have till August 6, 2022. So, let’s get moving! Create.
