by Kyla Hurt
Central Park Market. It’s new. It’s hip. It’s in downtown Jacksonville.
On Thursday, May 5 from 4-8 p.m., Central Park Market will host nearly two dozen area makers and vendors for a saturated shopping experience based in the southeast corner of the downtown square. In addition to the visiting tents and tables of vendors, there will be food trucks and other goodies. Plus, most businesses, shops and restaurants located downtown will be keeping their doors open longer than the norm in accordance with the event’s 8 o’clock scheduled end time that evening.
Jacksonville business owners Colleen Flinn, Jess Lynn, Nick Little and Julie Rowe are the faces behind Central Park Market. Flinn explains that the thought behind this new event was, “to kind of revitalize the First Fridays downtown, where the shops stayed open late the first Friday of every month. We decided that Thursday was a better day to get people downtown to shop, eat and hang out. So, we asked the downtown businesses to stay open from 4 to 8 the first Thursday, May through September, and we are putting together a vendor market that will be on the southeast corner of the square. We’re going to block off one lane of traffic and some parking.”
According to Flinn, most vendors are from the area. “They’re mostly local makers … a couple shops that are from Jacksonville that aren’t downtown, some from Springfield, some from Quincy. They’re kind of from all over.”
The scheduled list of vendors includes Alison + Co Boutique, Anna May Charcuterie, Brook’s Knits & Stitches, CK Creative, Cork & Crown, Glitzee Dragon, Honey Dew Candle, Irish Road Flower Farm, JoJo Jewelry, KASCrystal Designs, Logey & Lenny Children’s Boutique, Mallory Lay Design Co., Morningstar Holistic Wellness, Nothing Fancy Supply Co., Opal Boutique, Props You Up, Rebecca Rees Hair Stylist, Rescued & Redeemed Furniture, Rural Cyclery, Sparkle Shine & Design, Three Twigs Bakery & Bistro, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro and Young Honey Co.
Flinn noted that Rural Cyclery will hold a “makeshift shop” for those who need bike repair, and Props You Up will set up fun selfie stations. She also said that The Lazy Laker, Fat Daddy’s and Kona Ice food trucks will be on-site. Additionally, The Geezers will be playing live music.
States Flinn, “So, the goal is to bring people downtown and get them to stay awhile and enjoy everything that’s happening down there. The [Jacksonville Area Museum] is going to be open and they’re going to have some kid activities available on the lawn, so we’re going to encourage people to go down there … Well, and that’s why we picked the southeast corner. We kind of wanted to bring together the clump of stores like the bookstore, Green Haven, Haberdash, Just Good Trade … and kind of get people to go down around by Home Girls and A. Collaborative, but not miss out on the East State Street.”
Central Park Market will put balloons outside of every downtown area shop that stays open to note extended hours for the evening’s event. “We really just want people to come out and hang out downtown. We have such a beautiful square. There’s so many shops downtown that I don’t know if people realize are there,” adds Flinn.
The event creates an opportunity for someone who might attend with plans of patronizing one business or vendor to discover new places. “It gives people a chance to meet some local makers and small businesses with the vendor aspect; it just gives you more of a reason to head downtown.”
There will also be a cocktail contest of sorts for those of legal drinking age. Voting occurs inside the brick-and-mortar businesses that are staying open. Flinn explains, “It’s going to be like a sip-and-shop. Then, at the vendor area, you can get a card to vote for your favorite one and then put in for a drawing to win a prize. That’s fun.”
Flinn expresses about the first Central Park Market: “I’m excited. I really hope the weather is good and we get a good turnout.” On that note, a possible rain location will be 41 S. Central Park Plaza. Please check their Facebook page for updates on the location.
Central Park Market is planned for the first Thursday of every month, May through September, and there is no charge to attend. Check out their Facebook page or Instagram account for additional vendor information and more. To be considered as a vendor for a future event, email centralparkjaxil@gmail.com. Regardless, go ahead and jot down the next Central Park Market Thursday events on your 2022 calendar: June 2, July 7, August 4 and September 1.
