Pat Murphy
Pat Murphy…Sunday, October 16th, was the premiere of the Vista Vintage & Maker’s Market (VVMM). A curated Marketplace that was offering Vendors and Shoppers a place to celebrate all things old, new and re-imagined! Spreading out from the corner of Broadway and S. Indiana, Antique and Vintage wares were abundant alongside hand-crafted items from local artisans. At one point during the day, all you could see when you looked down Broadway towards S. Santa Fe were crowds of people going from booth to booth.
The event started at 10:00 am under cloudy blue skies teased with occasional brisk winds. Avoiding any possible parking problems I parked on the corner of Citrus and Main. While walking the short block towards the event, I passed the Broadway Theater at 340 East Broadway where I saw a new mural. It’s a very colorful seascape with frolicking orcas.
As I started walking around and talking to people it was apparent that something unique was happening. Everyone I met was happy. Vendors were happy about sales and the amount of customers. People walking by were laughing and smiling. Event staff members were cheerfully selling coupon books for $5. The books featured downtown merchants and a few of the coupons were for $5 off any purchase.
Jane Day of ReCreated told me it was her first time to Market. Debbie Aguila from Bellflower CA, said this was her second time and the Strawberry Festival was her first time. Hether Ryan and her daughter McKenzie of Urban Succulents were participating in their second ever festival. The Soul Sisters usually sell their hand made wares at Twice on Main Street (the Upscale for Women and Children) but today they were engaging in their first ever street fair. Rina and Martha of Rustic and Refined Vintage came all the way to Vista from Long Beach. Eileen and her sister Maggie were jumping in to something new with Casa de Laguna Luna and their first ever exhibit. Yet another first-timer, Denise DuFon from Shut The Front Door, said, ‘I hope they do this every year”. I was amazed that there were so many first timers at this first time event and even more impressed that they all appeared to be doing so well.
Doing well seems like an understatement. The Copper Box sold out all their Baked Goods & Confections. Before leaving early they just put up a “Thank you” sign. Morgan Gurmin from San Juan Capistrano cheerfully complained that, “My inventory is gone”. This was her first ever booth for her enterprise, Dirty Birdy’s Things of Nature. Another first timer to Vista, Laurie Rulison, of Charming Maps said, “It’s been fantastic!” “It’s the most sales I’ve ever had”. Emily Burton from Los Angeles ran out of Business Cards for her endeavor, the Dutch Hollow General and three other merchants I met also ran out of business cards.
Brandon Corral was encouraged by Celeste Ceja to take his leather working hobby and make it a business. The Viking festival was his first venture and this was his second. Denise Cerro from Encinitas has had a vintage business for 10 years but has only been making “assemblage art” for 6 months. Each one of her pieces tells a story. She said, “I love this show!” “The people are so positive and they gave us plenty of time to set up”. Jolinda Lampo had a very different and heartwarming product. She said her, “Birdhouses4thedogs”, are fun to make and she gives all the proceeds to Retrievers & Friends of So, CA for their rescue work.
At “Love Punched” you could design unique gifts out of old dinner ware. Handmade upcycled wood products were found at “Nixon’s Rustic Designs”. SeaSaw Woodshop offered wood frames and other wood products including one very unique table. Using many ceramic items and flatware, Debbie Aguila was offering distinctive and cute “Second Tyme Chimes”. Hand Painted Christmas ornaments by Avedis Oksayan and Vases made by Parsegh Oksayna out of recycled wine bottles were at another booth nearby named “Vinophinelia”.
Locals like Jaydon Sterling, Rick Randall, Sarah Spinks, Chad Spinks, Brenda Schuman, Kent Schuman, Maureen Barrack, Traci Lawson, Tiffany Crabtree, Tracy Fulop, Natalie Trevino and her 6 yr old son, Logan, Vista Deputy Mayor, Amanda Young Rigby, Jeffrey Frankel the VVBA Executive Director and Dave Mears from Legendary Event Management were participating and supporting this event. Some were in booths, some had organized the event, and some were working as staff at the event.
Instead of including food vendors or catering trucks, the wise committee that planned this marvelous event wanted to draw people to the Downtown Vista area that is home to several Craft Breweries, Farm to Table eateries and independently owned shops. That plan worked well as the many visitors wandered off into the downtown area with their packages of newly found treasures in search of some of Vista’s culinary treats.
Coming soon, the Vista Village Business Association (VVBA) will present yet another great NEW event, “Casino Night At The Movies”. This red carpet event will be held at the Cinepolis Theater in Downtown Vista, on November 6th from 6-9 p.m. and will feature Blackjack, Craps, Poker, Roulette, a Silent Auction, Craft Beer & Wine!
The $75 admission cost includes: Valet service, Casino gaming credits, 2 beer or wine drink tickets, Charcuterie spread from the Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen and dessert by Little Cakes Cupcake Kitchen. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Vista Art Foundation.
http://www.vvba.org/
http://www.vistavmm.com/
http://www.legendaryeventmanagement.com/
https://www.facebook.com/twiceonmainst
http://retrieversandfriends.com/
https://www.facebook.com/contrivedtocharm
https://www.facebook.com/sterlingrandall
http://www.lovepunched.com/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/blestnest
https://www.facebook.com/UrbanSucculent
https://www.facebook.com/Boarding-House-Broads-1706455346256852/
http://www.dirtybirdysthingsofnature.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
http://www.thecopperboxbakedgoods.com/
https://www.facebook.com/charmingmaps
http://www.cerrohome.com/
http://www.vintagephotoartz.com/
http://vinophinelia.com/
