Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship for Winooski News
WINOOSKI – Farmers market goers spent last Sunday buying homemade goods from the city’s up-and-coming business owners: kids.
Youth Vendors Day took place in tandem with the weekly farmers market. Attendees gushed, “That’s so cute,” to each other as they walked around the market. Each young vendor was friendly and enthusiastic to tell people about the products they were selling.
With the usual farmers market happening right next door, community members were able to experience both familiar and new tables.
Evie Bartlett and her dad sell homegrown flowers, allowing customers to make their own bouquets or pick from a handful of premade ones. All of the proceeds from her booth went to For The Love of Dogs Vermont and Queen City Cats.
Evie looked like a sales natural as she greeted the crowd of customers who came to her tent. Attendees created their own bouquets, and Evie was eager to help.
“I like the colors you’re going for,” she told a customer as they crafted their bouquet.
“Let’s get you a vase,” Evie added when the attendee was finished.
Because all sales at Youth Vendors Day were donation-based, customers could choose how much they wanted to pay.
Olyla Quiles of Ollie’s Prints specializes in block printing. She stamps her original prints on clothes, notebooks and cards.
Olyla’s printmaking started as a school project. After the project, she thought to herself, “Hey, I love this,” and kicked off her business.
Since then, she has gone “stamp crazy.” In addition to her simple prints – like fish, birds and eyes – she has designed unique pieces out of carvings, like Joan of Arc, hybrid creatures and original abstract designs.
Felix Weissberger’s tent had an array of homemade trinkets, including potions, paintings, pins and mini comics.
When a customer asked what the potions were for, he simply replied that they were “potions for happiness.”
The children were happy to sell their products, and attendees were excited to explore what they had to offer. With the support of their families, each vendor was able to share something that they love to do with the city.
The full list of youth vendors can be found on the Downtown Winooski website.