The hustle and bustle of a Sunday morning at the Upper Valley Artist & Farmers Market creates opportunities and makes dreams come true. All while bringing community together through the support of local small businesses.
The Upper Valley Market in El Paso, Texas was founded in 2017 by Beto Hernandez, who is still in proud ownership of the market. It is held in the parking lot of the Hobby Lobby in Mesa Plaza where just over 90 local vendors vend their crafts and goods.
“It’s been a positive impact,” Hernandez said. “We’ve seen a lot of local small businesses come through the market, and some of them start their own brick and mortars.”
These local vendors all have a dream to make a statement in their communities and to make a living out of their craft.
Crystal Lee, 24, the owner of Daizy Baby, has spent most Sundays for the last five years vending at the Upper Valley Market. Her booth displays handmade floral earrings and necklaces made from real flowers grown in her mother’s garden or in local farms.
Much of her brand tells a story of her work: her mom’s garden and her East-Asian culture.
Crystal says she has been a creative and crafty person all her life. The jewelry that Daizy Baby sells was another craft for her.
“I thought, ‘well this could potentially be a business I want to do,’” Crystal said. “Thankfully, I’ve been well received, and I have a great community.”
However local business owners like Crystal say they could not do it on their own. The impact they make comes from the symbiotic relationship between local support and the community coming out and supporting the diverse and unique selection of vendors.
“Every week we tell people to come out and support the local dreamers and the innovators and the artisans out here,” Hernandez said. “I think it’s been a great impact for [the buyers] knowing that they’re supporting local.”
A majority of the products sold at the market are handmade, and therefore unique.
“It’s not mass produced, but it’s [an] invention or kind of like a creation of the vendor’s creativity.” Hernandez said. “You’re going to find things here that you won’t find anywhere else.”
The local vendors agree that their buyers supporting local has benefited each other, and the community.
“Supporting local is you’re basically supporting someone’s dream.” Crystal said. People come out seeking handmade and unique jewelry, trinkets, and crafts. In return small businesses get supported and get to make a name for themselves.
In the dry cold of winter or in the heat of the El Paso summers, vendors and buyers alike still come together at the Upper Valley Artist & Farmers Market. A love for local support and a love for the vendor’s craft comes together to create a community that makes dreams come true and will continue to come true every Sunday at the market.
Jesie Garcia is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected] or on Instagram @empanaditawrites.
