Back by popular demand

Spring has finally reached Creston, and with its arrival comes the second annual Market on Maple. This Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, the streets of Montgomery and Maple will be filled with patrons shopping at a wide variety of vendor booths and local businesses.

After last year’s event, surveys were sent out to get feedback from the vendors. “The feedback was overall positive,” said Mindy Stalker, interim executive director for the Union County Development Association (UCDA). “Many vendors said it was one of the best shows they’ve ever been a part of.”

Not only were vendors supportive for the continuation of the event, but local business were also hoping for Market on Maple to come back this year. Heather Downing, a stylist for Hazel Maries on Adams Street, said that last year their business was steady all day long, and brought in people from outside of Creston to visit the boutique for the first time. “We look forward to it,” Downing said. “It definitely helps the business. It’s perfect for downtown Creston and all the businesses involved.”

This event has grown in the last year, taking the number of booths from slightly more than 40 to 65. With this increase comes the addition of mini-makers - vendors between the ages of 6 and 16. There will also be three new youth activity stations this year. “Bring your littles and shop,” Stalker said. “We wanted to make the event as family friendly as possible.”

First National Bank is hosting a welcome tent on the south end of Adams Street. Pick up event goodies and a shopping map before you get started. Stopping by the tent will help UCDA track event attendance. While 600 or 700 patrons would be great, Stalker says she would love to reach 1,000 to support the high-level of craft.

After picking up the freebies and a map, grab a half-priced coffee at Adams Street Espresso courtesy of Greater Regional Health before heading through the market. The vendors this year range from food to crafts to clothing. One clothing vendor, The Paisley Rose Boutique, has grown exponentially since their first vendor show last year at the inaugural Market on Maple. Just this week, owner Alison Van Gelder, opened her storefront on North Pine Street in Creston.

“It’s great to see how far Ali has come,” Stalker said.

Update Uptown has been a project of UCDA for several years now. At Merry Marketplace in December, they introduced the idea of a “What Could Be” tour where volunteers decorated retail windows to show what Creston could look like. This weekend will feature an Activated Alley next to Create Creston with displayed furniture to demonstrate the potential for it to become an as-needed venue or event space.

Stalker emphasized the event would not be possible without the sponsors and the selfless volunteers. “They have beautiful ideas and amazing execution skills,” she said. “If we can organize an event to bring shoppers uptown, we are going to support that wholeheartedly.”