by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Workspace: The Riverside Arts Market
One of the newest arts and entertainment venues in Jacksonville is also one of its latest commerce centers one day a week.
The Riverside Arts Market (RAM) is quickly approaching the end of its inaugural season, April-December, and vendors are glad this unique workspace that is created every Saturday in a parking lot under the Fuller Warren Bridge is available to the arts and agriculture communities.
“It’s something we like to do and the market is well attended,” said Michael Bolena, who, along with his wife Lucy, operates a stand that serves up fresh crab cakes, roasted corn and quesadillas. “We finish with our regular jobs on Friday and start preparing for the market. We do it because we like it, but the income helps during this economy.”
Bolena was one of the first three people to start setting up his stand on Saturday at 6 a.m. under the glow of street lamps, which were on because the sun hadn’t risen yet. Vendors are required to be set up by 9:30 a.m. and the market is officially open at 10 a.m. Once the sun is up and the market is open, the public can browse over 120 vendors with booths featuring art, clothing, fruit, vegetables, baked goods and also learn about some of the nonprofit organizations in the area. The market provides exposure for some of the smaller studios in the area.
“I have a studio in Mandarin, but this helps us develop new customers and service regular customers,” said Alyson Peder, owner of Aly Cat etching and engraving. “Customers will drop items off here at the market instead of making the trip out to the studio. It makes us more accessible for them.”
Customers also have an easier time taking home products from the market because of the free WIFI available to vendors and the public.
“It’s great to be able to take debit cards,” said Kim Morrison, of Brown Owl Design clothing, holding a wireless debit card reader. “A lot of people just don’t carry cash any more and this allows us to make those sales. Plus, the other booths that carry some higher dollar items, like paintings and jewelry, can also make sales through debit and credit cards.”
Edgewood Avenue-based MacPc Tech-Pro provides the free WIFI for the market and also has a booth.
“It’s our way of supporting the arts in the community,” said Steve Roberson, sales and customer support specialist for MacPc Tech-Pro. “It also gives us a chance to get our name out there.”
The buzz of commerce occurring at the market wouldn’t be possible without the 20-25 volunteers that help set up entertainment and information booths at the market, plus the dozens of volunteers who make up the boards that help plan and guide the development of the market.
“We’ve got some great people,” said Tony Allegretti, director of the RAM. “They make everything come together and it has been a big success and we are planning to make it bigger in the future.”
Organizers of RAM plan to connect the market with Riverside Park by expanding the site across Riverside Avenue as a scenic promenade beside a man-made lagoon under the bridge, with sculptures and water features.
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