Vendors undeterred as Zelienople’s open air market kicks off with cold weather
ZELIENOPLE — Overcast and chilly weather did not discourage many vendors from setting up shop on Main Street for the first open air market day scheduled this year.
The events will run from 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday through October.
The event, sponsored by the Zelienople Area Business Association, faced a lower turnout than usual, according to vendors who had participated before. They attributed the turnout to the weather.
Local vendors, such as Fisher’s Bar and Grill and Modern Alchemy, set up their booths in front of their brick-and-mortar stores.
Sisters Madison and Olivia Clauss set up a face paint and henna stall. This is their first year doing so. The sales from the stall are to raise money for Be the Match for Jax, a fundraiser for an 11-year old boy with IPEX, a life-threatening autoimmune disease.
Some of the vendors were from out of town as well, including Ellwood Ice, a family-owned shaved-ice and sweet treat shop from Ellwood City.
Lauren Wilson, owner of Ellwood Ice, said the most important aspect of an event like the open air market is bringing together communities.
“Even though we are from an adjacent town, we have already seen a couple of our regulars here tonight,” Wilson said.
As a business owner, Wilson said maintaining relationships with other local businesses is valuable, something an open air market facilitates.
Set up outside the historic Buhl House were the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania and Honey So Good. For the former, the open air market is an opportunity to bring people in for a tour of the historic landmark, especially in colder weather.
A local band, This-That & The Other Thing, performed at 6 p.m. Some vendors said prior to the performance the band is a major draw and would likely bring in more people.
