DALTON, Ga. — As the hunger for locally-made goods spreads across the U.S., Downtown Dalton premiers its own outdoor market today, bringing farmers, artisans and other crafters to a district notoriously quiet on the weekends.
IF YOU GO
What: Downtown Dalton Saturday Market
Cost: Free
When: Today, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: King Street between Selvidge and Pentz Streets
Meanwhile, several stores will take advantage of the stepped-up foot traffic and have sidewalk sales. The Downtown Dalton Development Authority — a past object of Mayor David Pennington’s criticism — organized the event.
Even Mr. Pennington praised the outdoor market. “I’m impressed by seeing some activity” downtown, he said.
The DDDA has been “investigating” a farmers’ market for a year, said its executive director Sarah Harrison.
But the new DDDA marketing coordinator, Veronica French, “took the ball and ran with it,” Ms. Harrison said.
Ms. French, an artisan herself, has worked with the successful Chattanooga Market.
Today, in Dalton, about 20 vendors will line King Street, selling anything from local produce to jewelry to gourmet butter cream cupcakes.
Local baker Jenniffer White owns Cup a Dee Cakes Catering and doesn’t have a storefront.
She said she expects her booth today will be an opportunity for some visibility in the community.
“I think there’s a lot of buzz about it,” Ms. White said about the market.
Business owner Sally Halker said she hopes the event, which is slated to be held twice a month through the summer, it will bring the foot traffic that helps downtown businesses.
“I’m just excited that they’re having events downtown,” Ms. Halker said.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Melanie Suggs said the event will have “a lot of economic reach” — bringing people downtown, supporting local businesses, and providing entertainment. “I can’t wait,” Ms. Suggs said.
Dalton resident Buster Jackson couldn’t believe his ears when he heard about the market, he said.
“I thought maybe they got us confused with Chattanooga,” said Mr. Jackson, who works in maintenance. “I’m definitely going to check it out, and I think everybody else will, too. It’s something new.”
