Staff Photo by John Rawlston
The Eastgate Town Center is a multiuse facility in the space that was once the largest retail mall in the area.IF YOU GOWhat: Town Center MarketWhere: Inside Eastgate Town Center near the waterfallWhen: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Partners: Eastgate, Red Paint Marketing, Woman's Way Journal, Mountain Shadows Living Magazine, others
With high temperatures around 100 degrees today, the farmers market concept moves indoors to Eastgate Town Center.
Town Center Market will debut today inside the Brainerd Road office and retail center, offering produce as well as goods produced by artists and craftsmen, said organizer Alicia Anderson of Red Paint Marketing.
She said the initial market will have about 25 to 30 stalls. There's no admission charge, Anderson said.
Paul Mallchok, Eastgate's general manager, said the market will be near the indoor waterfall. The best entrance to the market will be the one closest to Interstate 24, he said.
Working with Eastgate and other partners, Town Center Market will be fashioned after the French Market in New Orleans, Anderson said.
With sponsors holding the market each Saturday, plans include street performers, antiques dealers, music and classroom education where people can learn about gardening, she said.
A campaign to spur Chattanoogans to grow their own so-called "victory gardens" also will take place at the market, Anderson said. It will have the dual aim of providing local people with homegrown goods, with a portion donated to the Chattanooga Food Bank, she said.