Lots of us can do an Aussie accent; or perhaps whip out a leetle somezing zat’s French sounding.
But can you do Cajun? That one’s tough.
Today is Fat Tuesday. In this country, that celebration is headquartered deep in the heart of Cajun Country, New Orleans (oopf, N’awlins). It’s high time to put a little south in your mouth, and downtown’s Pearl Market is just lucky enough to have its very own in-house expert. Patrons can find real New Orleans Pralines made by a real New Orleans Native: Chandra Noble.
Actually, Noble was born in Ohio – but she spent the first thirty years of her life down in The Big Easy. While her voice is usually velvety smooth, she can whip out that distinctive dialect from her roots in a heartbeat.
There is a RIGHT was to talk about her New Orleans Pralines. While we say pray-lines, back south they say prah-lines… or worse. Noble says, “Sometimes it’s like the L and the R are switched.” Then she pronounces it in a silky southern style that sounds like a cross between prah-reeeeen and plah-reeeeen.
“Or,” she continues, “We just call it pecan candy.” Only she does it with an accent again. Suddenly pecan has three syllables: peh-cah-wnnn.
Regardless of your accent, you can celebrate in Fat Tuesday-style every Friday with New Orleans Pralines in the Pearl Market. No worries about pronouncing the sweet confections: we all sound the same with a mouth-full.
February is Crafter’s Month at the Winter Pearl Market (20 E. Broad Street)! We are looking to close out our inaugural winter market with a bang. Because the MARKETPLACE (where local handmade arts, clothing, crafts and other gifts have been sold on consignment) has been so popular, we are expanding on that idea and making the whole month of February “Crafter’s Month.”
But we need crafters to participate, so if you are interested, please email Heather Brown at heather@downtowncolumbus.com for more information.
A good guest never arrives at a party empty handed.
If ever there was a fundamental law from the etiquette police, it’d be that one. Even if your host is named “Mom”, it’s just gracious and grown-up to offer a small token of appreciation for the effort it takes to host a big turkey dinner.
And yes, the Winter Pearl Market has you covered. Come down to Broad Street (20 E. Broad Street) immediately (Tuesday, 10:30 am – 2 pm) to pick up a very cool, locally made gift of goodie for Thanksgiving.
Honestly, you won’t need a gift guide or advice. The moment you walk inside the winter market, you’re surrounded with darling things. It’s a giant maze of wonder.
You might pause for a moment at the collection of ceramics by local artist Nicki Strouss. Her coffee mugs require close inspection. No ordinary vessels, the grips on these cups are ergonomically angled to suit the way humans really hold mugs.
Or maybe a crazy bag made from recycled fabrics? Ethel Jayne Originals takes textiles like rugs and shower curtains and gives them a new life as very edgy satchels for gals AND guys.
Bottle stoppers made from old doorknobs and outdoor faucets can be found at IKC design.
A duct tape pen? Hand-painted slate? You really need to stop in to see this stuff. These goods can’t be found at Walmart.
Of course, edible gifts abound too: pumpkin pies, breads and muffins… and fresh fare from our farmers. Or perhaps an extra-special olive oil from The Olive Orchard for the gourmand in the kitchen?
We have a Winter Pearl Market, so not surprisingly, we have a Winter Pearl Market Moment. Check out this video to get a sneak peek at the new indoor market at 20 E. Broad Street and meet market vendor, Take Ten Body Therapy.
Fall is here in all its golden glory. With Halloween goblins and ghouls, pumpkins and gourds, football and more football. Surely Ohio farmers are putting their beds to bed for a long winters rest, and farmers markets are closing their shutters for the season. Nope, not in downtown Columbus.
Although the outdoor Pearl Market wraps up its season this Friday, the indoor Winter Pearl Market will come right in on its heels. Thanks to a grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Market Promotional Program, Capital Crossroad SID has extended Pearl Market’s season through February. It’s an idea that came from vendors and shoppers alike, who told Pearl Market staff that they would like to continue selling and shopping. So more Market they shall have.
Starting next Tuesday, you can shop each Tuesday and Friday from 10:30 am – 2 pm on the first floor of 20 E. Broad Street. Approximately 34 vendors will be there with their wonderful good and local produce (yes, it’s all still local – mostly grown in greenhouses), baked goods, meats, cheeses, oils, syrup, jams, eggs, soaps, jewelry, sweaters, bags, dog-friendly items, and much more. There will also be an art gallery produced by the Create Columbus Commission and a Holiday Marketplace with gift items. Also new for the indoor Market, customers can shop with the Ohio Direction Card (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Food Stamps).
Business Firstreported a new, but small, trend in retailing on October 23: the pop-up store. These stores “pop up” in small spaces and operate for brief periods of time. According to the article, they typically lease space “as is” and highlight specific product lines.
Risk to the retailer is low. Because these stores operate for limited periods of time, they have an event quality to them that draws shoppers.
Retail-starved downtown could use some pop up stores. There is a large inventory of vacant storefronts. Property owners would certainly consider short-term leases. Could Toys R Us make some money in downtown during the holiday season? After all, many of the 100,000 time-pressed downtown employees have children.
Capital Crossroads opens its own pop up store on Tuesday, November 3. Pearl Market vendors are working with the SID to create a retail co-op at 20 East Broad Street that will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30 to 2 pm through February. If this experiment is successful, the concept might be expanded next year. Who knows where this effort might lead?
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!
Independents are supposed to be “the little guys.” It’s the soulless conglomerates that build monolithic operations under one umbrella.
Then again, check out the line-up on the Independents’ Day Web site. Forget about “the little guy”, this year we’re rooting for the BIG guy, and the giant happens to be independent operators.
How big is this year’s celebration? In terms of duration, the event is pretty similar. The festivities around Gay Street kick off at noon on Saturday, September 19 and continue into the wee hours of September 20.
What they pack into that teeny time frame is downright dumbfounding. It’s HUGE: the Downtown Resident’s Association is hosting a giant flea market; there will be live music, food from Columbus Originals restaurants, two-hundred vendors, Via Colori’s chalk artistry, live mural painting, hula hoops AND the Ohio Roller Girls.
Adam Brouillete, who is brave enough to coordinate all these independent souls, understands the phenomena at work here. “This city is full of a spirit in which people want to be active, contributing members of their creative community. The growth in this year’s event is merely an open invitation to those people to do what they do.”
Whatever that is, they all want to “do what they do” right here, downtown.
Event “big guy” Adam Brouillette shares a little about what to expect this Saturday, promising rowdy, even naughty, artists and fun surprises.
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
PUT SOME SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH
THANKFUL MANNERS
T’IS THE SEASON
Kimberly Esque-Marino is the owner of a really cool local indie company catering to dog owners: 
HEY BIG FELLA