Saturday Morning Market vendors bringing local goods to St. Pete during the holiday season
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It’s the busiest time of the year for vendors at the Saturday Morning Market.
"Lots of late nights, it's always about getting that last little product," Jami Wood of Fused Whimsey, said. "Holidays are very important. Everybody here relies on that month of intense sales."
Wood has been fusing glass with a kiln for 20 years and has been selling at the market for eight. Her market neighbor, Julie Dye, has been a vendor for 15 years.
"It's really just keeping up with the sales," Dye said. "For me, every week is just replacing what I sold last week, so I can be ready for this week."
Dye runs Blossom and Shine, selling silver and gold dainty jewelry. She said the holiday season accounts for around 30% of her total sales for the year.
Thirty percent is also the estimate for Christina Pope, of A House on the Beach Candles. Because candles make popular gifts, she said December is easily her busiest month.
"If you can support local, it really helps to keep the local economy going and keeps more people being able to do what they love," Pope said.
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The market started in 2002. Plantopia Gifts has been there for 20 years, watching St. Petersburg grow around them. They sell plant-based botanical gifts for the body, bath and home.
"We're working all summer long just to make sure we have enough in stock for the holidays," Plantopia owner Kathryn Gassaway said.
Worden Farm is a staple of the market and has also been a vendor for decades. They sell organic produce from their Punta Gorda farm, and they are one of a handful of grocery vendors that call the market home.
"As vegetable growers, our product is something that customers need every week, so they will come weekly and then they explore all the other vendors," Worden Farm Founder Eva Worden said.
Dye is one of those customers, as she shops prior to opening her booth.
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"I think the Saturday Morning Market is the heart of St. Pete. It's great energy. All these local businesses come together," Dye said.
For more information on the market, visit saturdaymorningmarket.com.
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