by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Even though spring didn’t arrive, astronomically speaking, until Saturday at 1:32 p.m., you couldn’t tell winter was still in effect Friday at Hemming Plaza. No one was happier to see a warm, sunny day than Natalsya Tucker, market manager at Downtown Vision Inc., which sponsors the Hemming Plaza Market.
“This is the first nice Friday we’ve had since Dec. 6,” she said as she visited the vendors in the plaza. “The weather has been so cold and rainy over the winter we had to cancel the market a few times.”
Spring always brings new vendors and Tucker said there will be several new offerings at the market in the coming weeks. A new flower booth will open by the first Friday in May and Native American art and clothing will also be part of the selection in the coming weeks.
Tucker said she’s just glad to see the weather improving and the market getting back to its warm season level of shopper participation.
“Some of our vendors are here every Friday and we have new things to offer almost every week. That’s what makes the market fun,” she said.
Downtown Ambassador LaVerne Cuyler was staffing the information stand at the market.
Gene “The Produce Man” Clayton is beginning his third season at the market.
Jessica and Brande Tucker set up their “It’s a Work of Art” booth where they sell handmade jewelry and carved walking sticks. They also carry one-of-a-kind jewelry for body piercing enthusiasts.
Friday’s musical entertainment was provided by Idrissa-Kone, who also sells drums at the market.
Yvonne Aviles brought daughter Raniya to help sell merchandise at the “African Jewels” booth. In addition to what’s on display Aviles also makes pieces to order while you wait. She recently moved to Jacksonville from Key West and made her market debut Friday.
Abu Diawara makes jewelry and sells African art at his booth.
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