JOIN US
LAKE HIGHLANDS INFORMATION
LAKE HIGHLANDS WEATHER
Tonight
Mostly Cloudy, Low 76°
Tomorrow
Mostly Cloudy, High 92°
Tomorrow Night
Slight Chance Thunderstorms, Low 78°, Chance of Precip 10%
INSIDE
Local jewelry artist Shoshannah Frank, from F is for Frank, shows off her handmade jewelry and custom door knobs.
Buying local seems more important now than ever. With the wavering economy, it just makes you feel good to buy from someone down the street rather than from the other side of the world.
White Rock Local Market was the brainchild of Sarah Perry and Green Spot owner, Bruce Bagelman. The market was envisioned to provide a venue for locally made and grown products to be offered in an open-air market environment.
If this first opening of the market was any indication, the interest to buy local is high, indeed.
Sadly, said Bagleman, two of the produce vendors had to cancel at the last minute, one because of a broken arm.
But the limited supply of produce didn’t seem to bother the customers as they thronged to vendor booths. The Bee guy, Brandon Pollard, was there. He has been a fixture at the Dallas Farmer’s Market for years.
It’s important for people to understand how their food supply is made possible, said Pollard. In addition to making ZIP code 75214 honey, he sells other bee-related goods such as bee pollen and beeswax products.
A personal favorite, Dude Sweet Chocolates, was on board to offer locally made sweets. Dude Sweet, owned by Catherine Clapner, retails at a half-dozen stores around Dallas in addition to Austin.
But not all products came from local sources. Some were local residents with specialty products for sale, like the Royal Pepper Co., which imports peppercorns, sea salt, and palm sugar from Cambodia. Owner David Biggs knew of Green Spot, heard they were opening a weekend local market, and wanted to be there.
Heather Rinaldi, a member of Lake Highlands Community Garden, was on hand to offer fresh herbs, composting worms, and worm wine. The worm wine is a rainwater, compost, and molasses mixture made for fertilizing plants. At the next White Rock Local Market, she hopes to have more vegetables that mature in July.
Lake Highlands Community Garden, located at 7901 Goforth Road, has recently been renamed Dallas Is Gardening, or D.I.G.. With a total of 89 plots, D.I.G. coordinators hope to convince the city of Dallas to allocate more land toward the effort.
Local residents on hand were clear about one thing. They want local products and they’d love to see the White Rock Local Market become a fixture in our neighborhood.
I’ll be back in July to look for ripe tomatoes.
Brandon Pollard with the Texas Honeybee Guild explains the benefits of locally harvested honey to a potential customer.
Green Spot at Buckner Boulevard and Northcliff Drive builds a business on offering healthful alternatives to typical convenience store fare.
Cory Womack and Jessie Rodriguez of Lucido’s Produce start breaking out product before the crowd arrives.
Some offerings from Lucido’s Produce and Herbs — we recommend the plum preserves.
All the way from Cambodia to Old Lake Highlands, the Royal Pepper Co. imports Kampot black peppercorns, sea salt, and palm sugar.
A local floral offering of hydrangeas are $2 a stem.
Mary Alexander and local artist Brit Philyaw set up paintings.
F is for Frank handmade charms are, well, charming.
Baby Bean makes children’s clothing from vintage fabrics that the owner, Christine Visneau, finds on eBay and through other sources.
Neighborhood resident Dorothy Reid picks out some Kampot peppercorns from The Royal Pepper Co.
The only outside produce vendor on this day is ComebackCreek.com.
Mary Davis and friend Daleen Maxwell pick out some farm fresh blue araucana chicken eggs from Broken Creek Farm in Kaufman, Texas.
The first Local Market seems to be a success for these shoppers.
Catherine Clapner of Dude Sweet Chocolates shows off her wares to a potential customer.
Wolf Ozarow, helping out Empire Bakery, tells Jane Baca and friend Patricia about the products for sale.
Allison Drake and Betsy Drake of the Shirt Girls are one of the local retail vendors.
Customers are drawn inside Green Spot as well for additional produce and healtful snack alternatives.
Tom and Amy Henderson of Downing Hill Exteriors offer gardening tools and home accessories.
The large crowd finds locally made options at the first White Rock Local Market.
8 responses to this article
Like to comment on this article? Log in below or create a new account for free.
[anonymous] said at 8:12 a.m. on June 16, 2009, 8:12 a.m.
This looks great! I couldn't be there last Saturday, but I can't wait to come to the next one.
scrozier [Lakewood] said at 8:24 a.m. on June 16, 2009, 8:24 a.m.
How can others vendors get involved?
Cricket [Lakewood] said at 9:57 a.m. on June 16, 2009, 9:57 a.m.
Local markets have been a staple in Europe for centuries and operate no matter what the weather!
Would LOVE to see this as a regular event in the area. It's an important addition to our community. Can't wait to visit the next one - unfortunately had to skip this on Saturday.
gshelton91 [Lakewood] said at 5:55 p.m. on June 16, 2009, 5:55 p.m.
I went to this on Saturday and it was great. All that was missing was some shade. But it was great and i would gladly brave the sun to do it again.
parrot [Wilshire Heights] said at 6:05 p.m. on June 16, 2009, 6:05 p.m.
Right on!
parrot [Wilshire Heights] said at 6:08 p.m. on June 16, 2009, 6:08 p.m.
where is this? what's the address?
bfelps [Lakewood] said at 7:30 p.m. on June 16, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
the intersection of buckner and northcliff — 702 N. Buckner Blvd — http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Dal...
PictureMan [Lakewood] said at 7:03 a.m. on June 17, 2009, 7:03 a.m.
The organizers have a website for information, including information about how to become a vendor. Visit http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com.