Friday was both a sad and happy day at the Hemming Plaza market. Sad because it was Ed Jenkins’ last day as market manager and fresh flower vendor. Happy because he’s leaving his flower stand for a new job as a district manager for Wendy’s.
What many of his customers didn’t know is that Jenkins (right) was responsible for getting the market started and kept it going each week for the past seven years. Jenkins’ fellow vendors chipped in and bought a leather brief case for the new district manager. They also wore buttons declaring “Already Missing Ed!” Jenkins received a framed letter from Mayor John Peyton thanking him for his contributions to making the market a success and creating a new Downtown destination.
Pamela Elms, director of marketing for Downtown Vision, Inc. said, “We are so grateful to Ed for all that he has done. He took the market from an idea to a Downtown landmark.”
Jenkins said he has made arrangements for someone to set up the flower stand every Friday at Hemming Plaza.