A vendor sells paintings of roosters at the Ybor City Saturday Market on Sept. 29 in Centennial Park. The popular outdoor market operates every Saturday starting at 9 a.m. It closes at 3 p.m. October-April and 1 p.m. May-September. [ Hayden Randolph for the Times ]
This article was first published by the Tampa Bay Times on Oct. 27
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By Hayden Randolph
The Ybor Saturday Market continues to draw a weekly crowd after 25 years of operation, the oldest outdoor market in Tampa to do so.
The Ybor Saturday Market celebrates its 25th anniversary on Oct. 18. Established in 2000, the market seeks to facilitate a personable experience for customers by meeting artists who create pieces and buying food from local businesses.
“I think it’s based on giving local entrepreneurs that have artisan made products the opportunity to grow,” said Ivan Rivera, co-manager of the market.
Tampa has several other markets including the Fresh Market at Hyde Park Village, the Market at Water Street as well as the Sunshine and Sunset Markets at Midtown Tampa.
Over the years, the market has received business from repeat customers that like to support local businesses and vendors. Historic Ybor City attracts tourism from cruises and people visiting Tampa, Rivera said. A partnership with the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County has helped the market operate and grow.
Veljoy Crafts creates colorful ceramics designed to be used daily. The business has been at the Ybor Saturday Market for five years and will also be at the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival in Bradenton as well as the Orlando Pottery Festival.
Trish Veloso said the market has been successful because it’s accessible. Its proximity to public transportation helps draw a diverse group of attendees, and a variety of new and repeat customers.“The variety of people that use the access of the trolley and people coming in and from out of town are easily able to find it,” Veloso said.
The Happy Baker has sold baked goods at the market for 15 years. Owner Averil Massie started the business at the Ybor Saturday Market when her children were two and seven years old. Now, Massie attends multiple markets in the area. She said the Happy Baker has customers that travel long distances to purchase bread.
“It’s one of the very first in the city and I think Ybor is so popular,” Massie said. “People are just loyal. They just keep coming.”
Pet Wants South Tampa has been a vendor at the market for about a year. It’s “a locally owned business that specializes in the health and wellness of our pets by providing high quality food, chews, treats, and SPAW products,” according to its website.
Co-owner Tatianna Farren sees the market as a way to interact with customers.
“We love attending the Ybor Market because it’s a great way for us to get face-to-face interactions with our customers since we are a mobile business,” Farren said.
Into the Pot has sold tropical house plants at the market for almost five years. Owner Nicole Leinhauser said her business comes from nearby apartments as well as tourists from the cruise terminals. When asked why the market has been successful, Leinhauser noted the culture.
“I think it’s because of the community here,” Leinhauser said. “We all like to help each other out, so we all like to come here.”
When the vendors are happy, the customers are happy and come back, Leinhauser said.
Henry Ebert has sold his rings at the market for eight years.
“People love Ybor City,” Ebert said. “They just come here and browse.”
Ebert said his table is not just a business, but a hobby.
The Ybor Saturday Market happens every Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. October-April and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May-September. It’s located in Centennial Park.