GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — On Thursdays from April to October, about two dozen vendors bring their handmade, homemade, and homegrown products to 1417 Glenwood Avenue in Greensboro.
The People’s Market started nearly a decade ago to give the Glenwood community more access to fresh food.
Today it’s a place where vendors like Miranda Antoine can meet new people and network.
“The People’s Market is a great way for small business owners to get started. So, if you’re out there and want to get started then this is the place you need to come.”
Antoine started Denise’s Southern Soul three years ago.
She enjoys serving her menu to the market’s visitors.
“We serve food that makes you feel good, and we love to see people eat and we love to see you enjoy our food,” Antoine said.
Budding entrepreneurs like Antoine get support in the off-season too.
She attended the market’s Side Hustle University, which offers eight weeks of business development workshops.
Jenny White was also a student and plans to use what she learned to promote her new urban farm business, Lil Sprouts Chakra.
“It’s really hard to get into markets these days,” White said. “I really appreciate the angle that People’s Market is taking which is to try to find entrepreneurs who usually don’t have the resources and connect them with those resources and let them be successful.”
Returning vendors are appreciative for a place to promote their creations.
Kamara Troxler began selling her Mara brand of natural hair and beauty products at The People’s Market last year.
She has gained new followers, more customers and the confidence to grow her company.
“This was my first market, so it gives minorities a chance to bring their small business up,” Troxler said. “Because of The People’s Market, I have been to several markets across North Carolina.”
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro has helped The People’s Market get exposure to donors and partners who work to keep dollars in the local community.
The market’s Green for Greens Program doubles supplemental nutrition funds.
Last year it matched $94,000 dollars in benefits.
“It is a way that we offer our SNAP EBT customers a match for their EBT dollars,” market manager Shante Woody said. “Say, for instance, a customer that utilizes SNAP or EBT takes $20 off their card. We’re going to give them $40 to spend with us, with our vendors. So that’s more bang for their buck and that’s also keeping the dollars generating in our community by helping the local businesses, especially food-based businesses or small growers, to be able to have access to that kind of money.”
The People’s Market is open weekly on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. It will operate through October 5. You can keep up with events and apply to become a vendor online.
