This week’s vendor spotlight shines on CaffeineDaddy.com!
CaffeineDaddy.com is new to Pearl Market this season. Entrepreneur Jeffrey Foulke created CaffeineDaddy.com and sells all kinds of caffeinated products. Whether you’re looking for caffeinated soap, toothpicks, lollipops, beef jerky, or more; if you can name it, CaffeineDaddy has it. Want something to slow you down? CaffeineDaddy has that too. To learn more about CaffeineDaddy.com visit their website and check out our weekly vendor spotlight video.
Now that September is upon us, I realize that the summer market will be drawing to a close before long. Not to worry, there are still a few weeks left, but I am savoring buying summer produce while I still can. Last week I was able to get some perfect tomatoes, broccoli, squash and peppers. I sautéed them all together and it was fantastic!
I’ve been walking by this lovely smell all season long and finally investigated. Sweet Smelling Savour sells candles, lotions, body wash and oils. They have some amazing smells that have been enticing customers all summer. Their website is full of testimonials from customers that are so pleased with their products. They are definitely worth stopping by on your lunch break.
In dessert news this week, there were some hard decisions to make. Let Us Eat Cupcakes had strawberry balsamic. I’ve learned that the weirder the flavor combination sounds, the better it is. And Leslie’s Creperie has added buckeye crepes to the menu. Decisions, decisions. It’s best to buy both and find someone with which to share.
It was a fantastic day at the Market! Somewhere around the beginning of August, when it gets so unbearably hot and humid, the Market starts to drag a bit for the vendors. It gets stuffy and the new fall vendors haven’t started coming in yet. Tuesday had finally cooled down and it was a lovely day to stroll around looking for fresh produce and fancy little gifts. And (this is where I would insert a drum roll) we were blessed with a new food vendor!
The other food vendors at the Market are still delicious, but it is nice to have new options. And boy, what a new option! Leslie’s Creperie rolled their cart down the alley and everyone got excited. And I, being nosy, ran down immediately to see what they are all about. I ordered a spinach, egg and feta crepe. It was huge and amazing! They have all sorts of crepes, from savory to sweet. If you want to come and check them out, I suggest you come early because they had a line of people for three solid hours. They will be at the Market every Tuesday and Friday until the end of the season. Come on down and find out what all the fuss about!
Sample Day at the Market! That’s what I’m talking about! After setting up our booth, we sat down and watched Market Manager, Adam, in his chef’s hat, carry by plate after plate of fantastic looking food, all made with Market buys! There was a surprisingly good beet hummus. Surprisingly because, who really likes beets anyway (aside from the color)? But this was gorgeous and yummy! There were also pickled green beans, tangy and zesty! Plus some zucchini bread that melts in your mouth, and some sausage breakfast casserole! They handed recipes out at the Market, or you can find them here.
This week my kids were exceptionally hungry so we moseyed on down to Honey Run Farms and got some cherry tomatoes for them to munch on during the day, which were delicious. We also picked up three beautiful sunflowers for only two dollars for all of them!
I was very excited to see Sweet Stella there with Maram. I have seen their work around town and am excited to have them at the Market. Sweet Stella makes jewelry that is just so sweet! You’ll understand if you go look at it. Maram makes recycled and eco-friendly things, most notably recycled purses, and these great pins with recycled pins. There are some great ones of Columbus, like a close-up of the Brewery District, downtown or Worthington. Very cute and very affordable!
Well, if you missed Sample Day at the Market, I am sorry because you missed out. So don’t miss another! Come down to visit on Tuesdays and Fridays!
Tuesday at the Market was supposed to be ridiculously hot, but Pearl Street had such a lovely breeze that it felt like spring. Usually I pick a couple of booths to check out and head straight for them, but this time I meandered slowly down the road to see everything.
Crimson Design Group has a store front on Pearl and they set out a Market booth as well, so you can see the amazing things that they have in their store. I haven’t bought anything from them yet, but I always see the decor they sell and think, “Ooohhh, pretty! Those are the people I want to make my living room pretty!”
Another booth I always like to see is The Sweater Lady. Everything is so colorful and it always draws my kids over. There are little hand-knit finger puppets that are so incredibly detailed that I just don’t understand how somebody can do that. I also love the adorable kids’ sweaters that have scenes on knit into them, with suns and animals.
This week I also bought a good deal of produce from an array of farmers. Some tomatoes from one guy, some zucchini from another, and English peas from a third. I feel like I eat so much better in the summer when I get to spend so much time at the farmers’ market.
Kimberly Esque-Marino is the owner of a really cool local indie company catering to dog owners: Potty Pocket.
Potty Pocket is a vendor at the Market and Kimberly talked a bit to us about her company:
What is a Potty Pocket?
A Potty Pocket is a small bag for the dog owner to keep by their dog leash which can hold any items they may need while on their walk. It has two pockets, inside pocket for personal items such as cell phone, house keys, dog treats etc.. and a outside pocket for potty bags to be pulled from the slot at the bottom of the pocket. It is made out of water and stain resistant nylon fabric and is washable. The straps are adjustable and long enough for it to be worn across the body to keep both hands free.
Why was it developed?
Upon becoming a first time dog owner, the daily walks became a scramble to obtain all of the necessary items for the walk. Potty bags, flashlight and personal items made my pockets bulge as I walked out the door. I wanted something I could just grab with the basic items in it along with room for personal stuff. I searched the market and my needs were not met. So, I designed what I wanted and my friends and family loved it and wanted one of their own. They encouraged me to develop it and sell to the general public.
I love what Kimberly had to say about being at Pearl Market:
“We love the opportunity to be among creative individuals who have unique products that are hand crafted with care. As the small independent retailers are disappearing from the market place it is nice to know that consumers who are looking for quality items have a place to go and shop. When we support local artists and farmers, we are supporting our community, thus ourselves.”
I also love that she told us how Potty Pockets could have been sent to China manufacturing for mass production but she choose to stay local and independent:
“It was important to me that they be made here in Ohio. Potty Pocket is a group effort. Family and friends have helped to get this idea off the ground. I designed and make the product, a friend designed the logo and web sight, my sister and husband help to sell them and everyone gives unending enthusiasm and support that has made this challenge a lot of fun.”
Check out her website and visit POTTY POCKETS at the market each week. Tell her the Market Maven sent ya!
Cool dynamic fashion that sustains a fair trade mission in business practices!
Owner Casey Cahoy is really cool and makes amazing clothing that I drool over each week in my walk through the market. I bet one of his long sleeved t shirts would feel perfect this fall at the market! Check him out!
Go say hello and tell him the Market Maven sent ya! xo
Each week there is always a long line to sample the delicious breads of the Great Harvest Bread Company of Pickerington.
I sit across from the stand each week and vow to myself that I will resist the gorgeous baked goods, but always find myself in line trying a new amazing flavor.(UM HELLO jalapeno cheddar this week! YUMMY)
I talked to Keith Dobbs (father of owner Ashlee Dobbs) and he told me that he loves being at Pearl Market because of all of the positive energy. He enjoys the people and the vibe of the market. The market loves him right back and each week he is happily giving away goodness to the masses!
Go visit Keith and staff and help yourself to a sample of the amazing and nutritious offerings. Pick up a loaf to take home! It is amazing!
Now that September is upon us, I realize that the summer market will be drawing to a close before long. Not to worry, there are still a few weeks left, but I am savoring buying summer produce while I still can. Last week I was able to get some perfect tomatoes, broccoli, squash and peppers. I sautéed them all together and it was fantastic!
It was a fantastic day at the Market! Somewhere around the beginning of August, when it gets so unbearably hot and humid, the Market starts to drag a bit for the vendors. It gets stuffy and the new fall vendors haven’t started coming in yet. Tuesday had finally cooled down and it was a lovely day to stroll around looking for fresh produce and fancy little gifts. And (this is where I would insert a drum roll) we were blessed with a new food vendor!
Sample Day at the Market! That’s what I’m talking about! After setting up our booth, we sat down and watched Market Manager, Adam, in his chef’s hat, carry by plate after plate of fantastic looking food, all made with Market buys! There was a surprisingly good beet hummus. Surprisingly because, who really likes beets anyway (aside from the color)? But this was gorgeous and yummy! There were also pickled green beans, tangy and zesty! Plus some zucchini bread that melts in your mouth, and some sausage breakfast casserole! They handed recipes out at the Market, or you can find them 
Tuesday at the Market was supposed to be ridiculously hot, but Pearl Street had such a lovely breeze that it felt like spring. Usually I pick a couple of booths to check out and head straight for them, but this time I meandered slowly down the road to see everything.
Kimberly Esque-Marino is the owner of a really cool local indie company catering to dog owners: 
