Chattanooga Market general manager takes venue to new level

Paul Smith admits he's a lucky man.

The 43-year-old married father of three sons said he frequently catches himself grinning from ear to ear.

"I love my family, and I love my work," said the energetic Smith, who took over leadership of the Chattanooga Market last year. "I think I've got the greatest job in the world."

A self-proclaimed "people person who gets things done," Mr. Smith and his team have taken the market, now in its ninth year, to a new level.

"It's the most fun I've ever had," he said. "On Sundays, the day of the market, I leave my home about 6 a.m. and get back around 7:30 p.m. Last week when I got home, my son asked me how my day was.

"I told him that it was fun. My son then asked me, 'You worked all day and you had fun?' It stuck with me what I said -- I do have fun at work. I enjoy the atmosphere."

The Chattanooga Market, located in the First Tennessee Pavilion, is open on Sundays now through Dec. 6. It will reopen on April 25.

Q Why do you think the Chattanooga Market is so successful?

A Though we have a festival atmosphere, the market is really a business, so there's a lot we offer to the public. To many of the vendors, the market is their only storefront. We help expose their wares to 6,000 to 7,000 quality shoppers every Sunday. People also think of us as a farmer's market and that's vital, but we're a lot more than that. For every $1 that's spent on food or produce, $2 is spent on locally made art.

Q How does the Chattanooga Market make money?

A Firstly, it would be impossible for us to exist without our sponsors: First Tennessee, Electric Power Board and Coca-Cola. It's our job to draw people to the market to shop. Then, small businesses/vendors pay a small fee to book a space, and we make a small commission of the money they make that day. It's all on the honor system. It's so meaningful, though, to see how satisfied the vendors are with their sales. We work with great people. We have a laid-back attitude and that's endearing to vendors. Also, we're one of the few markets nationwide of this type open on a Sunday.

Q How does one qualify to be a vendor at the Chattanooga Market?

A We have a very strict jury process. It has to be a significantly altered or handmade product. If you don't grow it, make it or bake it, you can't bring it in. I don't know that everyone who comes to the market realizes that everything they see is made by the person selling it.

Q What has been the most popular theme at the market so far this season?

A So far this year, the Mother's Day Toast was the biggest sales day at the market. It's a theme started by the market's previous owners. CultureFest was also big this year. It's the first time we've held it at the market. Sponsored by the Arts and Education Council, it was previously held at Coolidge Park.